The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Distribution Agreement

Turbine issued a press release a few minutes ago announcing that Warner Bros. will be distributing both a regular edition and collector’s edition version of The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria.

TURBINE ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINEâ„¢: MINES OF MORIAâ„¢

North American Product Lineup Unveiled

WESTWOOD, MA July 31, 2008 – Turbine, Inc. announced today its partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to distribute The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢: Mines of Moriaâ„¢ at retail in North America. As part of the announcement, Turbine unveiled its fall product lineup which includes two titles that will be available at retail, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition and The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition, as well as a digital only title for existing subscribers, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion.

(We are excited to self publish The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria and to partner with Warner Bros. to distribute the title at retail this fall,) said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. (Mines of Moria introduces breakthrough content and features including our Legendary Item system that will revolutionize the way players advance and customize their unique heroes.)

The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria expands the online world of Middle-earthâ„¢ to let players continue the ultimate interactive adventure in the largest and most dangerous online underground environment ever created. Players will be able to explore the ancient underground cities of the dwarves, battle epic characters in the depths, face off with the Watcher, be a part of the fateful release of Durin’s Bane and more. In addition to the Legendary Item system, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria features groundbreaking dual height map technology that creates a seamless, vast, and epic environment that brings Moria to life like never before. The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria extends the challenge to new heights with two new classes, ten additional levels and hundreds of new quests.

(Turbine has an impressive track record of creating and publishing high quality massively multiplayer online games,) said John Quinn, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. (We look forward to working with Turbine and we will leverage our experience in distributing successful premium titles with the launch of The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria this fall.)

The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria – Fall 2008 Product Lineup:

• The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition will include the original The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢: Shadows of Angmarâ„¢ game (Volume I), all content updates released since launch, and The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria (Volume II). The Complete Edition will be available at retail stores nationwide and offers new players who wish to journey through the most complete and authentic recreation of Middle-earth the full, award-winning experience.
• The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition will feature the content of the Complete Edition as well as compelling digital and physical items for collectors. Limited quantities of the Collector’s Edition will be available at retail outlets in a unique leather-bound book packaging and will include:
  • 3 exclusive tokens that can be exchanged for the player’s choice of 8 different in-game items
  • 22) x 22) premium quality cloth map of the Mines of Moria
  • Special gold-plated ring complete with chain and pouch
  • Mines of Moria poster
  • The Lord of the Rings Online Art and Music Collection with the official Mines of Moria Soundtrack
  • A full color Collector’s Edition Starter Guide
• The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion is a digital upgrade that will allow existing subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar to continue the ultimate interactive adventure into the vast, terrifying and unparalleled world beneath Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate interactive adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. For more information on The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, please visit www.lotro.com/moria.

About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is the premier creator, operator and publisher of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is one of the largest privately-held online gaming studios in North America and was recently chosen by AlwaysOn as one of the OnHollywood 100 Top Private Companies, a power list of the top private emerging technology companies in digital entertainment and media. The company has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢: Shadows of Angmarâ„¢, Dungeons & Dragons Onlineâ„¢ and Asheron’s Call®. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

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 more than 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.