Lord of the Rings MMO gets a new expansion
posted:
9/4/2009 2:18:00 PM
The Lord of the Rings MMO is getting a new digital expansion this fall that goes by the name of Siege of Mirkwood. Apparently, according to the Executive Producer of the MMO, they want to finish the year out with the excitement of the new expansion and the possibility to explore Middle-earth even further.
Besides the typical increase in level cap (65 – including new traits, virtues, skills, and class quests), and enhancements in gameplay in terms of combat and items, more exciting news comes from new instances, regions, and the Skirmishes feature.
Tell me more, you say? Allow me to elaborate. The new region is Dol Guldur, which you may recall as Sauron’s fortress in Mirkwood, where you can confront the Ringwraiths in-game The region is said to include jails, arenas and stables as well as new 3 and 6-player instances. If you’re feeling particularly confident, you can gather up a raid of 12 players to face the Nazgûl Lord in this region, as well.
The additional feature of the Skirmishes is meant to enhance your gameplay in instances by allowing you to create and customize a team of soldiers to fight against the shadow. While you battle with them on your side you can train them to advance to greater skill. A “World Join” function allows players in various locations to come together with their fellowships to fight in Middle-earth.
I won’t skirt on the description of what is to come with the new gameplay features mentioned earlier. In terms of combat, we are promised an enhancement of responsiveness in battles. Developments in legendary items will allow players to create and customize Second and Third Age Legendary items and cap its power at 60. The game promises new Legacies, titles, and a fourth Runic slot to make your items ever more powerful.
Besides the typical increase in level cap (65 – including new traits, virtues, skills, and class quests), and enhancements in gameplay in terms of combat and items, more exciting news comes from new instances, regions, and the Skirmishes feature.
Tell me more, you say? Allow me to elaborate. The new region is Dol Guldur, which you may recall as Sauron’s fortress in Mirkwood, where you can confront the Ringwraiths in-game The region is said to include jails, arenas and stables as well as new 3 and 6-player instances. If you’re feeling particularly confident, you can gather up a raid of 12 players to face the Nazgûl Lord in this region, as well.
The additional feature of the Skirmishes is meant to enhance your gameplay in instances by allowing you to create and customize a team of soldiers to fight against the shadow. While you battle with them on your side you can train them to advance to greater skill. A “World Join” function allows players in various locations to come together with their fellowships to fight in Middle-earth.
I won’t skirt on the description of what is to come with the new gameplay features mentioned earlier. In terms of combat, we are promised an enhancement of responsiveness in battles. Developments in legendary items will allow players to create and customize Second and Third Age Legendary items and cap its power at 60. The game promises new Legacies, titles, and a fourth Runic slot to make your items ever more powerful.
TURBINE UNVEILS THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™: sIEGE OF mIRKWOOD™
New Digital Expansion to the 2008 MMO of the Year Launching this Fall
WESTWOOD, MA – September 4, 2009 - Turbine, Inc. today unveiled The Lord of the Rings Online™: Siege of Mirkwood™, the digital expansion to the award-winning massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG). Siege of Mirkwood will expand the online world of Middle-earth where players will join forces to press further eastward into the dark, foreboding and treacherous forest of Mirkwood and take part in the epic conclusion to Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online. Siege of Mirkwood will be available as a digital download this Fall with an increased level cap, a new region including the legendary evil fortress of Dol Goldur, major enhancements to combat and Legendary Items and the introduction of Skirmishes, a new system where players will train customizable soldiers and take them into battle as part of the War of the Ring.
“2009 has been a year of unprecedented growth for The Lord of the Rings Online and the launch of Siege of Mirkwood will end the year with a bang,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. “As the game expands east of the Misty Mountains, players will face the raging war and shadow that has spread across Middle-earth and the new Skirmish system will thrust players and their soldiers into the War of the Ring.”
NEW FEATURES:
Ø The Epic Conclusion to Volume II: Mines of Moria™ – Under the command of Celeborn and Galadriel, players will fight through vast armies of Orcs alongside the Elves of Lórien in a battle that will take them to Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Ringwraiths. This update includes Book 9 and the Epilogue to the sweeping epic tale begun with the award-winning Mines of Moria expansion.
Ø Increased Level Cap — Players will be able advance their characters up to level 65, gaining access to new traits, virtues, skills and class quests.
Ø Answer the Call of War! – Jump into the heat of battle with the new Skirmishes feature. Skirmishes offer endless action in repeatable, randomized instances where players can create and lead customizable soldiers into battle, training them to greater skill as they earn victories against the forces of shadow. Answer the call of war wherever violence erupts with the new “World Join” function that lets players and their fellowships band together to fight in various locations throughout Middle-earth.
Ø Take up Arms! – Infiltrate the dark jails, deadly arenas and savage stables of Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Ringwraiths, and strike a blow against Sauron’s forces in new 3 and 6-player instances. Call upon your fellows to adventure into the most deadly 12-player raid yet and face the ultimate challenge – the Nazgûl Lord!
Ø Major Gameplay Enhancements – Turbine continues to improve the award-winning experience of LOTRO with major improvements to the combat and Legendary Items systems. Players will experience improved responsiveness when in the heat of battle. Players will also be able to create and craft their own customized Second and Third Age Legendary Items from raw materials and grow their weapons’ power to level 60. Achieve new Legacies, new titles, and a fourth Runic slot that will make Legendary Items even more unique and powerful.
The Lord of the Rings Online is an award-winning MMORPG that delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the great underground realm to the menace of Mirkwood, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood will be available as a digital download this Fall. Details regarding Siege of Mirkwood’s pricing, pre-order offers and availability will be unveiled soon. For more information, visit www.lotro.com/mirkwood.
New Digital Expansion to the 2008 MMO of the Year Launching this Fall
WESTWOOD, MA – September 4, 2009 - Turbine, Inc. today unveiled The Lord of the Rings Online™: Siege of Mirkwood™, the digital expansion to the award-winning massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG). Siege of Mirkwood will expand the online world of Middle-earth where players will join forces to press further eastward into the dark, foreboding and treacherous forest of Mirkwood and take part in the epic conclusion to Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online. Siege of Mirkwood will be available as a digital download this Fall with an increased level cap, a new region including the legendary evil fortress of Dol Goldur, major enhancements to combat and Legendary Items and the introduction of Skirmishes, a new system where players will train customizable soldiers and take them into battle as part of the War of the Ring.
“2009 has been a year of unprecedented growth for The Lord of the Rings Online and the launch of Siege of Mirkwood will end the year with a bang,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. “As the game expands east of the Misty Mountains, players will face the raging war and shadow that has spread across Middle-earth and the new Skirmish system will thrust players and their soldiers into the War of the Ring.”
NEW FEATURES:
Ø The Epic Conclusion to Volume II: Mines of Moria™ – Under the command of Celeborn and Galadriel, players will fight through vast armies of Orcs alongside the Elves of Lórien in a battle that will take them to Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Ringwraiths. This update includes Book 9 and the Epilogue to the sweeping epic tale begun with the award-winning Mines of Moria expansion.
Ø Increased Level Cap — Players will be able advance their characters up to level 65, gaining access to new traits, virtues, skills and class quests.
Ø Answer the Call of War! – Jump into the heat of battle with the new Skirmishes feature. Skirmishes offer endless action in repeatable, randomized instances where players can create and lead customizable soldiers into battle, training them to greater skill as they earn victories against the forces of shadow. Answer the call of war wherever violence erupts with the new “World Join” function that lets players and their fellowships band together to fight in various locations throughout Middle-earth.
Ø Take up Arms! – Infiltrate the dark jails, deadly arenas and savage stables of Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Ringwraiths, and strike a blow against Sauron’s forces in new 3 and 6-player instances. Call upon your fellows to adventure into the most deadly 12-player raid yet and face the ultimate challenge – the Nazgûl Lord!
Ø Major Gameplay Enhancements – Turbine continues to improve the award-winning experience of LOTRO with major improvements to the combat and Legendary Items systems. Players will experience improved responsiveness when in the heat of battle. Players will also be able to create and craft their own customized Second and Third Age Legendary Items from raw materials and grow their weapons’ power to level 60. Achieve new Legacies, new titles, and a fourth Runic slot that will make Legendary Items even more unique and powerful.
The Lord of the Rings Online is an award-winning MMORPG that delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the great underground realm to the menace of Mirkwood, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood will be available as a digital download this Fall. Details regarding Siege of Mirkwood’s pricing, pre-order offers and availability will be unveiled soon. For more information, visit www.lotro.com/mirkwood.
