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LOTR is 3 years old today

by: Sean Colleli -
More On: Lord of the Rings Online
It's hard to believe that Lord of the Rings Online has been around for three years. Turbine is celebrating the third anniversary with some in-game partying and bonuses for loyal players.  From April 26th to the 30th you can buy a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription at the discounted rate of $9.99. In addition the monsters population of middle earth will drop rare items when killed, and all players are given a special skill that grants them discounts at in-game stores. All in all a nice gift to loyal Tolkienites and a decent incentive for new players to pick up the MMO during its celebration week.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TURBINE CELEBRATES THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF the launch of THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™

WESTWOOD, MA – April 26, 2010 - Turbine, Inc. announced today the start of the celebration of the third anniversary of The Lord of the Rings Online™ (LOTRO), the award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The LOTRO Anniversary celebration will run from April 26, 2010 to June 30, 2010.

“It’s been another incredible year of growth for LOTRO and Turbine highlighted by critical and consumer acclaim,” said Jim Crowley, President and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “Since its launch, LOTRO has consistently been named Game of the Year by leading MMORPG sites and the overwhelmingly positive response to the game from millions of players who have adventured in Middle-earth has firmly cemented the game as one of the world’s premier online entertainment experiences. The game’s player base grew over 15% over the past year and our anniversary is a chance for us to celebrate with our past and present players to enjoy everything that is special about Middle-earth and thank them for their wonderful support with some special subscription options.”

The Lord of the Rings Online Third Anniversary Celebration includes:

Ø Play for $9.99 a month!: The party never has to end! During LOTRO’s Third Anniversary Celebration (April 26th to June 30th), you can get any 3, 6, or 12 month subscription plan and play LOTRO for only $9.99 per month!

Ø In-Game Celebration:

o During the anniversary celebration, monsters throughout Middle-earth will drop rare and precious gifts when defeated. Players can exchange these items for a special gift box brimming with a variety of in-game items to aid them on their adventures in Middle-earth.

o Turbine is also giving new, current and former players who log in to the game during the LOTRO Third Anniversary Celebration (April 24th through June 30th), a special in-game gift -- the Writ of Virtue, a passive skill that provides 20% discounts at Bards throughout 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 or to download a free trial, 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 Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™, 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 f/k/a Tolkien Enterprises (SZC), 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.