The Lord of the Rings Online Goes Free-to-Play in Europe Next Week
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THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE FREE TO PLAY TO LAUNCH ACROSS EUROPE ON 2nd NOVEMBER 2010
Friday, 29th October 2010. Codemasters Online announced today that The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM (LOTRO) will be free-to-play across Europe on Tuesday 2nd November 2010.
Introducing an innovative new pricing model, players will be able to download the game and play for free as well as purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services à la carte from the new LOTRO Store opening on Tuesday 2nd November 2010.
This major new content update includes Volume III, Book 2: Ride of the Grey Company which extends the game's award-winning epic story and expands the world of Middle-earth with the new region of Enedwaith. LOTRO will also continue to deliver state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, as well as a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based online games.
Highlights of the latest update to LOTRO will include:-
'¢ Volume III, Book 2: The Ride of the Grey Company - Having sworn to protect the heirs of Isildur, the Dúnedain responded with all haste to the urgent message from Elrond. Players will join the newly-formed Grey Company in Rivendell as they depart on their journey far from the relative safety of that hidden valley into the new region of Enedwaith. Book 2 consists of fifteen solo-able chapters full of exploration, exciting combat and a healthy dose of mystery.
'¢ The LOTRO Store is Now Open for Business! - The LOTRO Store is loaded with thousands of convenience items as well as expansion packs, premium content, additional character slots, potions, character customization and more. The LOTRO Store is seamlessly integrated into the game and lets the player identify new and exciting ways to enhance and customize their experience, using Points which can be purchased in the Store or earned through gameplay.
'¢ The Return of the Harvest Festival - When the days shorten and the nights begin to cool, it's time to celebrate the bounty of the harvest. All the races of Middle-earth celebrate this time and gather at the Bree festival grounds for the Harvestmath events that include bobbing for apples, pumpkin picking and much more. This year's festival features a brand new event located in the new Haunted Burrow, a haunted hobbit Fun-house!
'¢ And Much More! This latest update also introduces the Wardrobe, a new storage system for cosmetic items that's available for free to VIP players or can be purchased a la carte from the LOTRO Store, an updated character creation system, a revamped new player experience, the update and addition of (classic) instances featuring repeatable, scalable content, and much more!
The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate adventure, and it will soon be Free to Play! To register for your new Free to Play account, 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 OnlineTM, Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron UnlimitedTM, 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 Codemasters
Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae DiRT, Race Driver GRID, Overlord and Operation Flashpoint; the company recently secured the exclusive worldwide video game rights to FORMULA 1. Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations based in Universal City, California. The company also maintains operations in Germany, France, Spain, Benelux and Malaysia. Codemasters receives over two million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at www.codemasters.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.
