Moscow, September 8, 2009. IT Territory, a part of Astrum Online Entertainment, the largest player in the Russian gaming market, and Turbine, Inc. are proud to unveil The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood, the new add-on to the multiuser online game The Lord of the Rings Online.

The new add-on will expand the virtual world of Middle-earth by adding new region of dark, foreboding and treacherous Mirkwood which will become the epic conclusion to Volume II. Furthermore, Siege of Mirkwood will contain an increased level cap, the new lands and a new instance of fortress of Dol Guldur as well as enhancements to combat and Legendary Items. The new Skirmishes mode will be introduced which will allow players to command to the NPC soldiers.

“2009 has been a year of unprecedented growth for The Lord of the Rings Online and the launch of Siege of Mirkwood will lead us to the new height,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of the game. “We are adding a new region east of the Misty Mountains, which is already covered by shadow.   The new Skirmish mode will allow players to jump into the epicenter of the War of the Ring.”

“We always try to launch our localized versions right after the launch of the Western release”, said Yuri Maslikov, Project Manager of IT Territory. “I’m confident that Siege of Mirkwood will be the great present to the Russian players”.

New Features:

•    The Epic Conclusion to Volume II. Celeborn and Galadriel are ready to lead the Elves in a battle with the vast armies of Orcs. Fighting alongside with Lorien, the player will reach Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Ringwraiths. Siege of Mirkwood includes Book 9 and the Epilogue to the Mines of Moria story.
•    Increased level cap. The bar will be raised up to level 65, so player will gain access to new talents and skills.
•    New Skirmish mode. The game will introduce new special instances allowing players to create NPC soldiers and lead them into battle. The NPC’s will advance their skills as they earn victories.
•    New Protect Peace feature. The gamers and the fellowships will be able to jump to wherever the war erupts and their help is needed.
•    A new instance: Dol Guldur. The players will face dangerous adventures in dark jails, stables and arenas of the fortress of the Ringwraiths. The bravest of Middle-earth inhabitants will be able to try their strength in 12-player raid and fight one of the Nazguls.
•    Gameplay enhancements. The combat and Legendary Items development systems were improved substantially. Players will be able to create Second and Third Age Legendary Items from raw materials and develop them up to level 60. The new Legacies and new titles will appear as well as a fourth Runic slot that will make Legendary weapon even more powerful.



About Tolkien Enterprises

The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is worldwide copyright owner for the production and commercial use of licenses based on J.R.R.Tolkien works. The company has been issuing licenses for the various merchandises and movies based on the writer’s literary heritage. The company’s head office is located in Berkeley, California. The company’s official website is www.tolkien-ent.com.


About Turbine, Inc.

Turbine, Inc is one of the leading multiplayer online games developers. Turbine, Inc. was established over ten years ago. During this time, the company has grown from a small studio to the major developer of high quality online games in North America. The company’s portfolio contains such well-known projects, as The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach and Asheron's Cal. For additional information about the company, games and services please visit the official website at www.turbine.com.

About IT Territory

IT Territory (http://www.it-territory.ru) is the developer and publisher of the online games and the games for social networks and is a part of Astrum Online Entertainment (http://www.astrumonline.ru), the largest player in Russia’s gaming market. The company is presently a leader in the online sector of Russian gaming market with 20 games in its portfolio, including 13 of its own games as well as the games by independent developers and licensed projects. The total number of the users registered in the IT Territory projects exceeds 12.5 million.
The company’s flagship, free role-playing online game Legend: Legacy of the Dragons (http://w2.dwar.ru) has been released in Russian, English (http://www.warofdragons.com), German (http://www.warofdragons.de), Chinese (http://w1.lz.woniu.com) and Turkish (http://www.dwar.gen.tr) languages.

About Astrum Online Entertainment

Astrum Online Entertainment is the largest player in the Eastern European market of interactive online entertainment. The Corporation is formed by five companies: Astrum Nival, Nikita.Online, IT Territory, TimeZero and DJ Games. The companies have successfully launched over thirty multiplayer online games, including such popular projects as Perfect World, Lord of the Rings Online, Legend: Legacy of the Dragons, The Territory, TimeZero, Sphere, Piratia and many others. Today’s auditorium of Astrum’s projects exceeds twenty million players. Astrum Online Entertainment prepares to release ten of its own gaming projects as well as six localized online games by its foreign partners during 2009. For more information please visit Astrum Online website at http://www.astrumonline.ru