The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Final Beta

Turbine sent us over a press release this morning announcing that The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria has entered its final stages of beta testing.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINEâ„¢: MINES OF MORIAâ„¢ ENTERS FINAL STAGES OF BETA

Turbine Invites Players to Sign Up For Chance to Participate in Beta Program

WESTWOOD, MA August 29, 2008 Turbine, Inc. announced today that The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢: Mines of Moriaâ„¢ has entered the final stages of its Beta Program and that players across North America and Europe are invited to sign up for a chance explore the dark majesty of the world beneath Middle-earthâ„¢. The Mines of Moria Beta Program is by invitation only and over time more and more players will be invited. Beginning today, players can register for a chance to participate in the Beta Program by visiting http://www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com.

(Mines of Moria extends the world of Middle-earth into the dark heart of the Misty Mountains where players will explore one of the largest underground worlds ever created. The Legendary Items system where players can craft unique and powerful weapons and armor that will grow in power and value is just one of the breakthrough features that will further establish The Lord of the Rings Online as one of the world’s premium online games,) said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. (Player enthusiasm continues to exceed our expectations at every milestone and we are very excited to enter this stage of our Beta Program and take the next major step toward our launch.)

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate interactive adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role playing game delivers an online experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most epic and powerful fantasy of all time. Mines of Moria expands the online world of Middle-earth to let players adventure into one of the largest and most dangerous online underground environments ever created while extending the challenge to new heights with two new classes, ten additional levels and hundreds of new quests. Mines of Moria introduces Legendary Items, a revolutionary new system that Turbine believes will redefine high level gameplay for all MMOs by eliminating the grind of endless raiding for high-end gear and allows players to forge weapons that grow in power with their hero. 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. 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. Turbine has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢, Dungeons & Dragons Onlineâ„¢ and Asheron’s Call®. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.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 more than 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.