The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard Release Date and E3 Media

After nearly eight months of total silence, Turbine has finally blown the lid off of their The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard expansion pack with several screenshots and piece of stellar artwork, a cinematic E3 trailer, and an official release date of September 27th, 2011. Indulge us, Saruman:

And here’s the press release:

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINEâ„¢: RISE OF ISENGARDâ„¢ TO LAUNCH ON SEPTEMBER 27TH
Players may Pre-Purchase the Third Major Expansion to the 2010 MMO of the Year Starting Today!
NEEDHAM, MA June 7, 2011– Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Turbine announced today The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢: Rise of Isengardâ„¢, the next expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) will launch on September 27, 2011. Players across North America and Europe can pre-purchase Rise of Isengard to receive special benefits starting today at http://www.lotro.com/isengard.
(Our journey through Middle-earth is now taking us to one of its most iconic locations,) said Aaron Campbell, Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online, Turbine. (The new regions are going to be truly epic in scale, story, and challenge. In addition to the wealth of features and content coming in September, players who pre-purchase the expansion will be able to use their bonus items immediately as they prepare for the launch of Rise of Isengard.)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE: RISE OF ISENGARD FEATURES:
‘¢ Explore Three New Regions! — The time has come for you to turn eastward, toward the vale of Isengard. Where ancient forests once flourished, a corrupted waste of metal and wheels suffers under the thrall of the traitorous wizard Saruman. Here, in the shadows of the tower of Orthanc, gathers an army of Orcs and Uruk-hai, toiling to make ready for war. Forge ahead into these devastated lands and uncover new quests, skills, and traits as you strive to thwart Saruman’s ambition.
– Dunland Adventure amidst the bright forests in the foothills of the southern Misty Mountains. Beware the Dunland Clans, rugged warriors tempted by the dark promise of power.
– Gap of Rohan Battle over the legendary pass between Eriador and the plane of Rohan. This key strategic point must be defended against the ambitions of Sauron.
– Isengard Explore Orthanc, one of the iconic Two Towers as it rises over the once beautiful Isengard valley. The once beautiful vale now desecrated beyond imagination by the Wizard Saruman the betrayer.
‘¢ Advance to Level 75!
– Face new challenges and continue to forge your own legend in Middle-earth with all-new epic quests, skills, and deeds as you fight new enemies on your journey to level 75!
‘¢ Master the Legendary New 24-Player Raid!
– Face the ancient evil of Draigoch, one of the most powerful creatures in Middle-earth! Prepare for the ultimate challenge where nothing less than the strength of an entire force of 24 heroes stands the chance of victory.
Starting today, players can take can take advantage of three special pre-purchase offers to celebrate the release of the third major expansion to LOTRO:
‘¢ Rise of Isengard Base Edition Includes the full Rise of Isengard expansion plus:
– Steed of the Gap, a new in-game mount with matching red cosmetic cloak for every character on your account
– In-game title Guard of the Isen
– 25% XP boost for all characters on an account up to level 65
‘¢ Rise of Isengard Heroic Edition Includes the full Rise of Isengard expansion plus:
– 1,000 Turbine Points for use in the LOTRO Store
– Steed of the Gap, a new in-game mount with choice of matching cosmetic cloak and armor in your choice of red, white or green for every character on your account
– In-game title Guard of the Isen
– 25% XP boost for all characters on an account up to level 65
‘¢ Rise of Isengard Legendary Edition — Includes the full Rise of Isengard expansion plus:
– 1,000 Turbine Points for use in the LOTRO Store
– All three Steeds of the Gap, new in-game mounts with matching cosmetic cloak and armor in all three colors for every character on your account
– In-game title Guard of the Isen
– 25% XP boost for all characters on an account up to level 65
– Access to the Path of the Fellowship Quest Packs including Trollshaws, Eregion, Moria, Lothlorien and Mirkwood
Players will have access to all of the bonus items including the new mount, cosmetic cloak and armor, in-game title and XP boost immediately after purchase. The Rise of Isengard expansion itself will be available to play on September 27, 2011. These special offers will only be available for a limited time. For more information, please visit www.lotro.com.
About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is wholly owned by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢, Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimitedâ„¢, and Asheron’s Call®. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises , is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. SZC has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on the Tolkien works for more than 30 years. Its headquarters are located in Berkeley, California and its Middle-earth Enterprises website may be found at www.middleearth.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.