With a growing userbase, the massively multiplayer online game based on J.R.R. Tolkien's world of Middle-earth continues to aim to become the "one game to rule them all."
On Friday, Boston-based developer Turbine Inc. announced a new expansion pack for The Lord of the Rings Online this Fall.
Following last year's retail expansion Mines of Moria, *Siege of Mirkwood *will complete Volume II of the storyline in the Lord of the Rings Online universe. In the new expansion, players will band together eastward towards the perilous forest of Mirkwood.
"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 the game's executive producer Jeffrey Steefel in a press release.
*Mirkwood *will be a digital download-only expansion, and includes new features such as an increased level cap (from 60 to 65) and a new region that includes Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Ringwraiths. In addition to new skills, traits and quests, there will be a new "Skirmish" system where players can train and customize soldiers that they can take with them into battle in repeatable, randomized instances.
The developers also promise "major enhancements," such as "improved responsiveness" in the game's combat.
__Update: __An earlier version of this story said the expansion was free. Turbine has issued clarification on the game's forums regarding the pricing details saying that the expansion is actually "paid." Siege of Mirkwood will have a base price of $19.99.
The Lord of the Rings Online image courtesy Turbine
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