The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Announced

Turbine and Codemasters announce Mines of Moria, the first retail expansion for the Tolkien-inspired MMORPG, planned for release this fall. In celebration they've launched an Unlock the Mines of Moria Website, a Flash site featuring unlockable Mines of Moria mini games. Here's the announcement:
BIRMINGHAM, UK – March 14, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online today unveiled Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online™, the first retail expansion for the award-winning massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG). Announced in Birmingham, the childhood home of J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria™ will expand the online world of Middle-earth to let players 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! The Lord of the Rings Online expects to open Volume II of its epic story in the fall of 2008 with an increased level cap, two new classes and the introduction of a unique item advancement system.

“The Mines of Moria is one of the most epic settings in all of fantasy fiction,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “No one delivers more quality content than Turbine and with our journey into Moria, we will raise the bar even higher. We are adding vast amounts of content, debuting massive new environments and unveiling numerous unique feature sets, like item advancement, which will create entirely new dimensions of compelling game play and social interaction which are unique to The Lord of the Rings Online experience.”

NEW FEATURES:

> Speak Friend, and Enter – Moria, called Khazad-dûm by the dwarves, was their capital and the grandest of cities. This enormous underground cavern in north-western Middle-earth, comprises an immense network of tunnels, chambers, mines and huge halls that run beneath and ultimately through the Misty Mountains. For the first time, players of The Lord of the Rings Online will enter this ancient city which has served as the foundation for the modern-day dungeon-crawling adventures to battle the hordes of goblins and the Nameless of the Deep and journey through hundreds of new quests within six new kinds of stunning environments.

> The Epic Continues! — The Mines of Moria represents the beginning of Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online. Players can experience six new books as part of this update and participate in the release of Durin’s Bane, battle the Watcher, aid Galadriel and more!

> Increased Level Cap — Players will be able advance their characters up to level 60, gaining access to new traits, virtues, skills and class quests. The crafting system will also expand, giving players the ability to craft even more powerful items.

> Discover Two New Classes — The Rune-keeper and the Warden, the first new classes to be introduced since the launch of the game, allow players to build exciting and powerful new characters in The Lord of the Rings Online in diverse new ways.

> Forge Legendary Items – The Mines of Moria will introduce Turbine’s new item advancement system to The Lord of the Rings Online. Players will be able to forge weapons and class-related equipment and evolve them to build a legacy the likes of Bilbo’s Sting and Gandalf’s Glamdring. These legendary weapons will level-up along with the player, allowing customization by advancing the item’s virtues, adding runic legacies, modifying its titles and forming fables.

To celebrate this exciting news, Turbine and Codemasters also announced today that they will kick off a major promotion that invites everyone to unlock the Mines of Moria by visiting http://www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com. Visitors can learn more about Mines of Moria and play special mini-games that will be periodically released over the coming months. Certain players who participate can complete special deeds through game play and other means to unlock exclusive previews, assets and special in-game items that may help them when they delve into Mines of Moria this fall. The Unlock the Mines of Moria promotion is scheduled to begin at the end of this month.
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20.
 
Re: I'm Down With The Sickness
Mar 15, 2008, 07:04
20.
Re: I'm Down With The Sickness Mar 15, 2008, 07:04
Mar 15, 2008, 07:04
 
I think wow has the superior monster design. Player npc wise, LotR wasnt bad, although it lacks the number of races wow has, but in every other mmo I see, the monsters look so dull.

btw I think BC is actually a pretty amazing expansion. Although most of it is thanks to additions made to it after release, but it successfully designed and implemented things to do after reaching 70, something pretty absent back at level 60. However I do think an alternate advancement deal like everquest did should be added. Allowing people to XP for enhanced abilities after they hit the cap is one of the best things ever.

19.
 
The best expansion
Mar 15, 2008, 02:41
19.
The best expansion Mar 15, 2008, 02:41
Mar 15, 2008, 02:41
 
I'm waiting for the Farmer Maggot expansion!!

Perpetual debt is slavery.
Avatar 23321
18.
 
I'm Down With The Sickness
Mar 14, 2008, 20:49
18.
I'm Down With The Sickness Mar 14, 2008, 20:49
Mar 14, 2008, 20:49
 
I would rather buy an add-on to LotR than WoW. I liked them both but WoW is one of those games for me that once I left it behind I could never go back... kinda like Oblivion.

It's a shame they didn't have the team, the time, & funding to create the amount of content that people are expecting now... after WoW. Because LotR is a better game in many ways.

Oh, well. Either way glad to see an official expansion is coming to store shelves soon. It will be good for at least a couple months of entertainment.

No other game has looked as good as LotR... even AoC may not compare. Since the levels are so much smaller and it has more instances.

One of my favorite moments in the LotR beta was finally seeing Weathertop in the distance.

Avatar 11537
17.
 
Re: More books?
Mar 14, 2008, 18:57
17.
Re: More books? Mar 14, 2008, 18:57
Mar 14, 2008, 18:57
 
cholma, no, I was saying they better not pull what they did with the original release and go "Oh we know we released the game early and its missing a ton of content. Just give us more time and well release it all within the next year" type deal. Its one thing to do it on the initial game (a new game startup is hard for anyone) but to do it on an expansion is unforgivable.

16.
 
Re: More books?
Mar 14, 2008, 17:39
16.
Re: More books? Mar 14, 2008, 17:39
Mar 14, 2008, 17:39
 
also it says its a whole new volume that will include 6 new books.. wait..

Books were used in lue of patch numbers to include a ton of content that should have been included at release. Does that mean this expansion is to be sold with the idea you are paying for content that does not currently exhist yet?

Actually, "Issues" are the free content patches. Regular patches are still numbered normally. "Books" are the Story line quests that tie the whole game together. All other quests could be considered completely optional, but the "Books" are the story quests that parallel events in the LOTR trilogy. (you don't actually participate in any events of LOTR, but instead carry out tasks happening simultaneously)

Also, what do you mean by "does this mean this expansion is to be sold with the idea you are paying for content that doesn't exist yet"? Umm, ALL Expansions of ANY game fit that. You'd prefer an "expansion" that only has pre-existing content? I believe those are called "gold boxes".

This comment was edited on Mar 14, 17:41.
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15.
 
Re: More books?
Mar 14, 2008, 16:31
Kxmode
 
15.
Re: More books? Mar 14, 2008, 16:31
Mar 14, 2008, 16:31
 Kxmode
 
Everyone else makes expansions that span continents.. why does this one just involve a mine?

Because Moria is a cornerstone of the books. It contains a number of things, the least of which is the iconic Balrog. It's an epic-level event.

You do realize that LOTRO does not encompass all of Middle Earth. This is primarily the reason Turbine changed the name from Middle Earth Online to The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar.


-----
http://www.gamemusicjukebox.com/
Game p/reviewer for http://www.gameindustry.com/
This comment was edited on Mar 14, 16:35.
"...and in stonks, Fizzy Squeezy Stocklebocks leaped over Droopy Whoopy Bondfluffs, hitting 300-gigglebits to their 150-snorebucks. Meanwhile, in Whimsyland's market, the pancakes reached parity with pogo sticks."
Avatar 18786
14.
 
IronForge
Mar 14, 2008, 16:22
Kxmode
 
14.
IronForge Mar 14, 2008, 16:22
Mar 14, 2008, 16:22
 Kxmode
 
for LOTRO!

"what do you seek within the mountain?"

-----
http://www.gamemusicjukebox.com/
Game p/reviewer for http://www.gameindustry.com/
"...and in stonks, Fizzy Squeezy Stocklebocks leaped over Droopy Whoopy Bondfluffs, hitting 300-gigglebits to their 150-snorebucks. Meanwhile, in Whimsyland's market, the pancakes reached parity with pogo sticks."
Avatar 18786
13.
 
More books?
Mar 14, 2008, 15:13
13.
More books? Mar 14, 2008, 15:13
Mar 14, 2008, 15:13
 
Everyone else makes expansions that span continents.. why does this one just involve a mine?

also it says its a whole new volume that will include 6 new books.. wait..

Books were used in lue of patch numbers to include a ton of content that should have been included at release. Does that mean this expansion is to be sold with the idea you are paying for content that does not currently exhist yet?

12.
 
Re: Award-winning!!!
Mar 14, 2008, 13:40
12.
Re: Award-winning!!! Mar 14, 2008, 13:40
Mar 14, 2008, 13:40
 
Did you include the 15 awards my un-pc game "who left the floater in the toilet?" got?

11.
 
Award-winning!!!
Mar 14, 2008, 13:37
11.
Award-winning!!! Mar 14, 2008, 13:37
Mar 14, 2008, 13:37
 
I am keeping a running track of all the PC game press releases that include the words "award-winning". Currently I'm at 6,716 for the year. Surprisingly, a game's popularity, sales, reviews, etc are completely irrelevant in relation to a game's press release including the words "award-winning". Coincidentally, Lotro may actually have earned an award or two, but again, the words are usually used regardless. It is quite the phenomenon!


10.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 12:18
PHJF
 
10.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 12:18
Mar 14, 2008, 12:18
 PHJF
 
I beta'd it for a long while and thought it was really good. If I were to pay for an online RPG (which I won't!) this would be it.

It does a really good job putting "RPG" back into MMORPG.
Steam + PSN: PHJF
Avatar 17251
9.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 12:07
9.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 12:07
Mar 14, 2008, 12:07
 
I think the game is awesome, have a hunter (name?) at lev 48 and quit (was too busy IRL) haven played it since all the FREE addons, I hear it is a better game since I played it, I will play again when expansion comes out and wheather gets crappy again!

YAY LOTRO, Oh and DX 10 looks awesome in this game IMHO

8.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 12:02
8.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 12:02
Mar 14, 2008, 12:02
 
I liked it. Good game when you're sick of WoW. Much more story, world feels more real, and I think the quests are better. And the accomplishments stuff is cool. I didn't care much for crafting though. But I give it a thumbs-up for exploring and world.

Avatar 6700
7.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 11:54
7.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 11:54
Mar 14, 2008, 11:54
 
I never tried this game, is it any good?

6.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 11:21
6.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 11:21
Mar 14, 2008, 11:21
 
This is a bucket full of awesome, imo.

5.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 11:19
5.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 11:19
Mar 14, 2008, 11:19
 
This may sound a little odd, but what I really would love to do is play is a Co-Op version of the movies with friends as the main characters. Granted it would be a tad different from the movies as characters would more or less 'choose their own adventure', but I think it'd be a shit load of fun to re-do the Mines of Moria scene in that style

Avatar 12670
4.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 11:17
4.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 11:17
Mar 14, 2008, 11:17
 
obligatory 'is this the expansion that makes it fun?' comment.

i kinda had fun with the beta way back, but i've heard many people say there is nothing to do once you hit cap. that and the fact i find hobbits gross and LOTR un-interesting.

This comment was edited on Mar 14, 11:18.
3.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 11:15
xx
3.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 11:15
Mar 14, 2008, 11:15
xx
 
i got it when it first came out and played for 3 months or so and got a couple characters to the L20-30's. i started again last month and have one at L47 but i forgot the cap is 50. you saved me $15. the subscription ends tomorrow and theres no way i'm renewing. funny thing is i was kinda wondering where the L50-60's were and why i hadn't run into them yet.

2.
 
Re: lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 11:02
nin
2.
Re: lotro Mar 14, 2008, 11:02
Mar 14, 2008, 11:02
nin
 

If I wasn't pinned down with WOW, I'd give this a shot...

Sounds awesome!

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1.
 
lotro
Mar 14, 2008, 10:37
1.
lotro Mar 14, 2008, 10:37
Mar 14, 2008, 10:37
 
I really wanted to like LOTR:O and I did in many respects but the lack of real world PVP really killed it for me. The "monster play" was just not the same as true world pvp.

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