IT Territory, which is a part of Russia’s largest game holding company Astrum Online Entertainment, announced today that now everyone can register to participate in the beta-testing of the localized Russian version of “The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar”. To become a tester you will have to fill in a form at http://www.LOTRO-RUSSIA.com.

“The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar” is the localized Russian version of the worldwide famous title which has millions of fans all over the globe. LOTRO was named “The Best MMORPG 2007” by Russia’s largest gaming portal, AG.ru.

“The Lord of the Rings Online” 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 quaint surroundings of the Shire to the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, Angmar, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before.  “The Lord of the Rings Online” is currently operating in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. 

The Russian launch of “The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar” is planned for autumn 2008. It will have its own servers in Russia and a 24/7 call center. The game will be distributed in Russia, the CIS and the Baltic States by 1C, the leading Russian software distributor.

About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities.  A team of entrepreneurs formed Turbine over a decade ago with the vision of becoming a leading provider of online entertainment. Since then, Turbine has grown to become one of the largest privately-held online gaming studios in North America. Turbine has created some of the most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™, Dungeons & Dragons Online™: Stormreach™ and Asheron's Call®.  For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
 
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.  Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien’s works for almost 30 years.  Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
 
About IT Territory
Since 2004 IT Territory has been a developer and publisher of massively multiplayer online games and casual games while developing the leading distribution network in Russia and Eastern Europe and becoming Russia’s number one publisher. IT Territory runs multiple development studios and has a significant production department which is responsible for coordinating work on both new games and games that have been already launched. A team of highly professional programmers provides 24/7 technical and client support for all the players. Among IT Territory’s business partners are some of the largest Internet companies and info portals in the .RU zone. The main objective of IT Territory is to further promote the development of the game industry, games and game services, as well as to strengthen its own position as a top game company in the Russian-speaking segment of the world game market. Since IT Territory has a comprehensive infrastructure and extensive experience in the game business it can consistently launch commercially viable and successful games. Today the total number of Internet users currently playing IT Territory’s games reaches up to 5,000,000 players. For more information on IT Territory and its services, please visit www.it-territory.com
 
About Astrum Online Entertainment
Astrum Online Entertainment is the leading player in the Russian market of interactive entertainment. The holding company has been formed by four companies: Nival Online, NIKITA Online, IT Territory and Time Zero. These companies have successfully launched more than twenty MMO games, including hits like Legend: Legacy of Dragons, Territory, Time Zero, Sphere, Piratia, Perfect World and many others. Today the total number of Internet users currently playing all the games launched by these four companies is over 8,000,000 players.
In 2008 Astrum Online Entertainment is planning to launch 7 new MMO games of different genres, including the localized versions of the most popular titles from Europe and Asia. For more info please visit the corporate site at http://www.astrumonline.ru/eng

 
“The Lord of the Rings Online,” “Shadows of Angmar,” “Middle-earth,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and the names of the characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises under license to Turbine, Inc. Turbine and the Turbine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Turbine, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All the other trademarks are property of their respective owners.