The Lord of the Rings Online Reaches Beta

Turbine issued a press release earlier this morning announcing that beta testing of The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar has begun.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINEâ„¢ GOES BETA!

Nearly 200,000 Players Have Signed-up Worldwide

WESTWOOD, MA SEPTEMBER 8, 2006 Turbine and Midway announced today that The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢: Shadows of Angmarâ„¢ (LOTRO) has officially entered Beta in North America. Codemasters Online Gaming is pleased to announce the simultaneous launch of Pre-Beta in Europe.
This Beta is by invitation only and over time more and more players will be invited. Fans can continue to register to join the Beta Program by visiting http://www.lotro.com/betasignup for North America and http://www.lotro-europe.com for the European program.

(The response to LOTRO Alpha was overwhelming. Player enthusiasm continues to exceed our expectations at every milestone,) said Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. (The Alpha was oversubscribed and the Beta Program is on a record-setting pace with nearly 200,000 players already registered. LOTRO is building toward one of the largest beta communities in the industry.)

The first and only massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢ allows players to write their own stories in Middle-earthâ„¢, the most famous fantasy world of all time.

David Solari, Vice President and General Manager of Codemasters Online Gaming, said (It’s great to reach the Beta for such an exciting game. We look forward to seeing players bring the incredible world of Middle-earth to life and making it their own.)

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar lets players join in an epic adventure — exploring a massive online world while defending the lands of Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron. Players of all levels will explore incredibly detailed realms and join familiar characters in an evolving and persistent re-creation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved world. They will face the dangers Frodo and the Fellowship left behind when they began their epic journey to destroy the One Ring. Gamers can adventure solo or choose from thousands of players online to forge their own fellowships. Players, solo and fellowships alike, will be challenged by hideous monsters and minions of evil as they fight epic battles to defend Middle-earth. LOTRO will deliver on the opportunity to allow players to immerse themselves in the greatest adventure of our time.

LOTRO is co-published by Turbine and Midway in North America and Codemasters Online Gaming in Europe.

About Turbine

Turbine, Inc. is a premier developer, publisher and operator of online games and entertainment and is headquartered in Westwood, Massachusetts. The company is one of the largest privately-held online games company in North America. Turbine’s catalogue includes some of the most famous online entertainment brands, including Asheron’s Call®, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINEâ„¢: Stormreachâ„¢, and The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢: Shadows of Angmarâ„¢. For more information on Turbine and its services, please visit www.turbine.com.

About Midway

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), 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 Codemasters

Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company’s dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, Brian Lara Cricket and Operation Flashpoint. The company is headquartered in Southam, Warwickshire UK and maintains operations in the US, Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. More information about the company and its products is available online at www.codemasters.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.