Turbine Announces Third LotRO Expansion

There will soon be much more to explore in Middle-earth.

Since adopting a free-to-play model last fall, Lord of the Rings Online has seen a significant increase in its player base. Those players now have something new to put on their calendars and anticipate. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Turbine yesterday announced the third expansion of the popular MMORPG, Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard, set to launch in the fall of 2011.

In addition to a level cap increase to 70, the expansion is set to expand the online realm of Middle-earth to include several new areas (including Dunland, the Gap of Rohan, and Isengard itself), majorly revamp the monster play system, and continue the Epic Story to follow the Grey Company as it makes its way south into Dunland.

"2010 has been a year of unprecedented growth for The Lord of the Rings Online with our successful introduction of a free-to-play option for our players," said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. "This is going to be another outstanding year for the game as we progress on our journey toward Mordor and it all begins with our upcoming November update. The journey will carry through 2011 ending with our arrival in the epic region of Isengard where players will confront the raging war and shadow that has spread across Middle-earth."