Kotaku: mines of moria

LotRO Enters The Mines Of Moria

Mike Fahey — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:20:00 MST

Turbine proudly announces the launch of the first expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, Mines of Moria is now available across the U.S. and Europe, including my living room, where the collector's edition sits next to the coal-dusted mining hat they sent me to commemorate the auspicious occasion, which left a lovely black line across my forehead. The new expansion of course opens up the infamous Mines of Moria, and from my time in the beta for the expansion I can tell you that they've done an amazing job of realizing Tolkien's vision. Far from feeling like you are in a dungeon, the Mines truly feel like a massive, underground empire, filled with marvelous sights and a sense of scale I've rarely experienced in an MMO environment.

Along with the new areas to explore, Mines also brings two new character classes - the shifty Warden and the versatile Rune-keeper, both of which add exciting new gameplay mechanics to the game, along with unique legendary weapons that players can customize and rename, growing in power along with their characters. LotRO has come a long way since launch, and with the release of Moria it reaches all-new heights of excellence.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™: MINES OF MORIA™ LAUNCHES

The First Expansion for the Award-Winning Massively Multiplayer Online Game Now Available

WESTWOOD, MA – November 18, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. announced today that The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria™ is now available for purchase across North America and Europe. Mines of Moria expands the award-winning online world of Middle-earth and allows players to 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! In addition to extending the challenge to new heights, Mines of Moria will introduce two new classes, ten additional levels, hundreds of new quests, and the highly anticipated Legendary Item system.

“The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) has established itself as one of the world’s premium MMOs for successfully integrating story into a game that features innovative and entertaining advancement through an immersive and breathtaking world,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. “Mines of Moria will raise the bar with the introduction of Legendary Items, a massive new system that will let players advance unique and powerful weapons and items that grow in might alongside their hero. These unique and powerful weapons will be by our players’ sides to aid in the challenging adventures that await them as we continue to journey through Middle-earth through the next several volumes of the game in years to come.”

Some of the new features in the Mines of Moria expansion include*:

Ø Forge Legendary Items! – The Mines of Moria introduces Turbine’s revolutionary new item advancement system to LOTRO. Players can now forge unique 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 grow in power along with the player through their adventures and are customized by advancing the item’s virtues, adding runic legacies and modifying its title.

Ø Speak Friend, and Enter – Moria, called Khazad-dûm by the dwarves, was their capital and the grandest of cities. This enormous underground world in north-western Middle-earth comprises an immense network of tunnels, chambers, mines and huge halls beneath the Misty Mountains and represent one of the largest and most dangerous online underground environments ever created. Starting today players can journey through hundreds of new adventures and battle goblin hordes and the Nameless of the Deep in the ancient city underground which has served as the foundation for the modern-day dungeon-crawling adventures.

Ø The Epic Story Continues! — The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria begins Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online storyline. Players will experience six new books rich with new characters and content and face the fiery wrath of Durin’s Bane, battle the Watcher, bring aid to the Lady Galadriel and more.

Ø Increased Level Cap — Players can now advance their characters up to level 60, opening access to a wealth of new traits, virtues, skills and class quests. The crafting system also now offers a new Tier and gives players the ability to join crafting guilds to create even more powerful items.

Ø Discover Two New Classes — The Rune-keeper and the Warden, the first new classes to be introduced since the launch of the game, offer players the opportunity to create all-new characters and experience LOTRO in exciting new ways.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition, which includes the original game, The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ (Volume I), all content updates released since launch, and Mines of Moria (Volume II) is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America. The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition is also now available for purchase at major retailers and includes all of the content of the Complete Edition as well as certain unique digital and physical items for collectors. A third option for existing LOTRO subscribers is The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion, available online at www.lotro.com. For more information on The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, please visit www.lotro.com/moria.

LOTRO: Mines of Moria, New Screens Explore Khazadum

Adam Barenblat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:40:00 MST

Lord of the Rings Online fans rejoice! Your first expansion - Mines of Moria - is coming November 18th. Last time we took a look at it, we flew through the darkest depths of Durin's Way. This time, these new screens give us a glimpse of the all famous Khazadum and Central Levels. Both of these areas are brand new and will give your dwarf plenty of space to duke it out with goblins. Me? I think I'm more of an elf person myself.

LOTR Online: Mines of Moria - A Trip Through Durin's Way

Adam Barenblat — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:00:00 MDT

Prepare Lord of the Rings Online fans. It's almost time for you to get your hands on Mines of Moria - the first expansion for the MMO - is coming November 18th. There will be plenty of new features to look forward to such as the game's level cap being increased, new items, and the addition of two new classes, Run-keeper and Warden. You'll also be able to have the option of purchasing a massive collector's edition with all sorts of goodies. In the mean time we got a new trailer which gives you a fly through the ruins in Durin's Way.

LotRO's New Warden and Rune Keeper Classes

Mike Fahey — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:40:00 MDT

Turbine has released a new set of screenshots depicting the two new classes coming to The Lord of the Rings Online when the Mines of Moria expansion this November. The Warden is a rogue, more or less, who wields a spear and can create their own opening moves and specializes on sneaking up on foes. Meanwhile the Rune Keeper is a combination buffer / healer / caster, with the ability to do massive damage or heal massive damage depending. Minstrels all across Middle Earth are rejoicing as they will finally be able to take two steps outside of the healing role without losing their guild.

I'm personally looking forward to giving the Rune Keeper a go myself. I know Tolkien wasn't big on flash-bang magic, but then Tolkien never played an MMO, now did he?

LOTRO: Mines Of Moria Beta Opens

Stuart Houghton — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:40:00 MDT

Now, see, I think Turbine have missed a trick here. Surely the best — nay, the only — way to enter the beta program for LOTR Online expansion pack Mines Of Moria is by speaking 'Friend' and then entering?

Sadly, they have plumped for the more prosaic (and, lets be realistic, more practical) option of a website where you can sign up in the hope your name gets plucked from the wizard's hat.

The Mines final-stage beta is invite only, but you can apply for consideration at the official site. As well as the titular underground complex, the expansion will contain a couple of new character classes, hundreds of quests and Balrogs.

Invites Open for Mines of Moria Beta [Wired Game|Life]

LOTR Online: Mines of Moria Teaser

Adam Barenblat — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:20:00 MDT

Here it is folks, the first teaser for Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, LOTR Online's first expansion. Though not included in the video, Mines of Moria features two new character classes, ten additional levels and hundreds of new quests. What's also notable here is that existing players can download the expansion or you can hit your local retailer to pick it up. Expect it this fall.

LotRO: Mines Of Moria Collector's Edition Detailed

Mike Fahey — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:40:00 MDT

Turbine has just announced a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to get their upcoming Lord of the Rings Online expansion Mines of Moria into the hands of hungry fans, simultaneously dropping details on the various forms the expansion will take when it hits this fall. The game will come in three flavors: The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition, which includes the game, the expansion, and all updates so far, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion, which is of course a downloadable version of the expansion, and finally The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition, filled with bells, whistles, and of course, rings.

The collector's edition will include the complete edition of the game as listed above, along with exclusive tokens allowing players to choose three of eight in-game items, a 22" by 22" cloth map of the mines, a poster, The Lord of the Rings Art and Music Collection, Collector's Edition Starter Guide, and a gold-plated version of the one ring, complete with chain and pouch. A lovely haul, but be warned - wearing a replica of the one ring in a pouch around your neck makes it completely legal for people to punch you right in the face. It's true!

And what the hell? Here's the trailer.

TURBINE ANNOUNCES distribution Partnership with warner bros. INTERACTIVE entertainment For the LORD of the rings online™: mines of moria™

North American Product Lineup Unveiled

WESTWOOD, MA – July 31, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. announced today its partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to distribute The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria™ at retail in North America. As part of the announcement, Turbine unveiled its fall product lineup which includes two titles that will be available at retail, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition and The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition, as well as a digital only title for existing subscribers, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion.

“We are excited to self publish The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria and to partner with Warner Bros. to distribute the title at retail this fall,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “Mines of Moria introduces breakthrough content and features including our Legendary Item system that will revolutionize the way players advance and customize their unique heroes.”

The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria expands the online world of Middle-earth™ to let players continue the ultimate interactive adventure in the largest and most dangerous online underground environment ever created. Players will be able to 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. In addition to the Legendary Item system, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria features groundbreaking dual height map technology that creates a seamless, vast, and epic environment that brings Moria to life like never before. The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria extends the challenge to new heights with two new classes, ten additional levels and hundreds of new quests.

“Turbine has an impressive track record of creating and publishing high quality massively multiplayer online games,” said John Quinn, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We look forward to working with Turbine and we will leverage our experience in distributing successful premium titles with the launch of The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria this fall.”

The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria - Fall 2008 Product Lineup:

Ø The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition will include the original The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ game (Volume I), all content updates released since launch, and The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria (Volume II). The Complete Edition will be available at retail stores nationwide and offers new players who wish to journey through the most complete and authentic recreation of Middle-earth the full, award-winning experience.

Ø The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector’s Edition will feature the content of the Complete Edition as well as compelling digital and physical items for collectors. Limited quantities of the Collector’s Edition will be available at retail outlets in a unique leather-bound book packaging and will include:

· 3 exclusive tokens that can be exchanged for the player’s choice of 8 different in-game items

· 22” x 22” premium quality cloth map of the Mines of Moria

· Special gold-plated ring complete with chain and pouch

· Mines of Moria poster

· The Lord of the Rings Online Art and Music Collection with the official Mines of Moria Soundtrack

· A full color Collector’s Edition Starter Guide

Ø The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion is a digital upgrade that will allow existing subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar to continue the ultimate interactive adventure into the vast, terrifying and unparalleled world beneath 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 on The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, please visit www.lotro.com/moria.