An undetermined number of layoffs hit today at Turbine, the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment-owned developer of Lord of the Rings Online. This was reported on Gamasutra, where they have the official statement from WBIE on the matter:

"As part of our normal business process, we’re routinely looking at the strategic alignment of our company. Unfortunately, in order for us to invest in growth areas at Turbine, we have to eliminate some positions."

"These are always tough decisions, which we don’t approach lightly, but it’s crucial that Turbine is structured in a way that reflects the current and coming marketplace."