The Lord of the Rings Online Founder’s Program

Turbine and Midway Games issued a press release earlier today announcing a new Founder’s Program for The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar.

Turbine and Midway Unveil Revolutionary Pre-Order Founder’s Program for The Lord of the Rings Online(TM)

Highly-Anticipated MMO Currently Scheduled to Launch on April 24, 2007

WESTWOOD, Mass. & CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Turbine, Inc. and Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY – News) today announced the details of the revolutionary pre-order Founder’s Program for The Lord of the Rings Online(TM): Shadows of Angmar(TM). The highly anticipated massively multiplayer online game, The Lord of the Rings Online, lets players experience the greatest epic fantasy adventure of all time and join with millions of fans from around the globe in the vast world of Middle-earth.

This exciting Founder’s Program rewards all players who pre-order The Lord of the Rings Online with special $9.99 monthly subscription pricing, early access to the game (beta version), character roll-over and unique in-game bonus items. Players can become a Founder by pre-ordering the title at www.lotro.com/preorder or at retail stores nationwide beginning February 1, 2007. This limited-time offer is exclusively available to pre-order customers.

“The Lord of the Rings Online immerses you in one of the greatest literary works of all time,” said Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO of Turbine. “The Founder’s Program pricing plan rewards fans for their loyalty with a special opportunity to join Middle-earth from the beginning.”

The Lord of the Rings Online Founder’s Program(a) offers players two different membership options:

Only $9.99 per month subscription price!
OR
Just $199 for a Lifetime Membership!

In addition to these special pricing options, The Lord of the Rings Online Founders receive:

Open Beta: Guaranteed access provides Founders the first opportunity to create a character and enter Middle-earth currently planned for March 30, 2007

Character Roll-Over: Moves the character that you created during the Open Beta into the live service –along with the stats, levels, items, and experience that character earned prior to launch!

Bonus Items: Two special in-game items that are only available to those who pre-order:

— Enchanted Cloak of Regeneration
— Ring of Agility

This exciting Founder’s Program is available for a limited time until the commercial launch of The Lord of the Rings Online (currently scheduled for April 24, 2007). At launch, millions of fans will be able to explore the untold stories of Middle-earth, interact with legendary heroes like Gandalf, and play a vital role in the War of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings Online is the first and only massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the Books of J.R.R. Tolkien. The game recreates the vast world of Middle-earth with incredible dedication to the Tolkien lore with an unprecedented level of detail. The game delivers an experience that takes players beyond the books to where they can create their own story within the most famous fantasy world of all time. For more information, visit www.lotro.com.

About Turbine

Turbine, Inc. is a premier developer, publisher and operator of online subscription entertainment and is headquartered in Westwood, Massachusetts. The company is one of the largest privately-held online games companies in North America. Turbine’s catalogue includes some of the most famous online entertainment brands, including Asheron’s Call®, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE(TM): Stormreach(TM), and The Lord of the Rings Online(TM): Shadows of Angmar(TM). For more information on Turbine and its services, please visit www.turbine.com.

About Midway

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY – News), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices throughout the world, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for major videogame systems and personal computers. More information about Midway and its products can be found at www.midway.com.

About Tolkien Enterprises

The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien’s works for almost 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.

(a) Retail purchase of the full version of game is required to redeem Founder’s Program offer, which expires 30 days after commercial launch of the game unless Pre-order and Launch Product Keys are activated prior to the expiration date. Founder’s Program offer is not transferable. Founder’s Program monthly pricing and Lifetime Membership valid for so long as game is in service and account is continuously maintained without termination. Game play and level advancement will be restricted during Open Beta. This Founder’s Program offer is available to players located in the U.S. and Canada only. Certain restrictions apply. See www.lotro.com/founder for more details.

“The Lord of the Rings Online,” “Shadows of Angmar,” “Middle-earth,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and the names of the characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises under license to Turbine, Inc. Turbine and the Turbine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Turbine, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Midway has provided the www.lotro.com, www.turbine.com and www.tolkien-ent.com links solely as a convenience for you. The information on these sites has been prepared by third parties, and Midway does not monitor, endorse or accept responsibility for the content on non-Midway sites.