Turbine`s Award-Winning Online Game Will Be Free-to-Play Worldwide This Fall
BURBANK, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today that Turbine, Inc. will
unveil a major update this fall, making The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO)
free-to-play for everyone. Extending its award-winning story, LOTRO delivers the
ultimate adventure featuring a massive world with state-of-the-art graphics and
gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found in
premium subscription-based online games.

Launching this fall across North America and Europe, with Codemasters operating
the game free-to-play in Europe, LOTRO will introduce Turbine`s innovative new
pricing model that allows players to download the game and play for free,
purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte from
the new LOTRO Store, or join the VIP program to get unlimited access to all of
the game`s content for one low price. Players interested in getting a sneak peek
of the new LOTRO can sign up for a chance to participate in the Beta program
which begins June 16, 2010 at http://www.lotro.com.

“Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is bringing quality games based on The
Lord of the Rings to multiple platforms, and the franchise`s expansive adventure
story lends itself perfectly for LOTRO free-to-play, giving a wide range of
players the opportunity to experience the game,” said Jeff Junge, Senior Vice
President Online Games and Digital Games Platforms, Warner Bros. Digital
Distribution and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We are focused on
expanding our game franchises onto new digital platforms to maximize quality
experiences for gamers worldwide and LOTRO`s new model is a great leading
example of this.”

“Turbine`s Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited was the world`s first
truly premium free-to-play online game that ushered in a new era of choice for
online gamers seeking quality entertainment,” said Jim Crowley, President and
CEO of Turbine. “The popularity of DDO validated the extraordinary demand by
gamers for quality entertainment they can experience at their own pace and
within their budget. Extending free-to-play to LOTRO will offer another premium
game to a broad spectrum of fans.”

“Having successfully taken two titles free-to-play in the past we are very
pleased to be doing the same with The Lord of the Rings Online in Europe,” said
David Solari, Vice President and General Manager of Codemasters Online. “It`s a
fantastic, award-winning game with a wonderfully realized world and this step
will only broaden its appeal and increase its player base.”

LOTRO will offer players unlimited choice!

* Free means Free! – Players will download LOTRO by visiting www.lotro.com and
join with millions of other adventurers as they explore the most complete and
authentic recreation of Middle-earth ever created and participate in LOTRO`s
award-winning epic story up to level 50 for free.
* Visit the new LOTRO Store! — The LOTRO Store is loaded with thousands of
convenience items as well as expansion packs, premium content, additional
character slots, potions, character customization and more! The LOTRO Store is
seamlessly integrated into the game and lets the player identify new and
exciting ways to enhance and customize their experience using points which can
be purchased in the store or earned through gameplay.
* Be a LOTRO VIP! – Players who elect to become a LOTRO VIP will have unlimited
access to all premium content, receive priority server access, 5 character
slots, a shared bank slot, and a monthly allotment of points to spend in the new
LOTRO Store.

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate adventure. This award-winning
massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive
experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and
monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time. From the picturesque
surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever
imagined, players will soon experience the world of Middle-earth for free! For
more information, visit www.lotro.com.

About Turbine

Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online
worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is wholly owned
by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and has created some of the world`s
most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings
Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, and Asheron’s Call. For
more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit
www.turbine.com.

About Middle-earth Enterprises

The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises f/k/a Tolkien Enterprises
(SZC), is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage,
merchandising, and other rights in the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien
including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. SZC has been producing and
licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on the Tolkien works
for more than 30 years. Its headquarters are located in Berkeley, California and
its Middle-earth Enterprises website may be found at www.middleearth.com.

About Codemasters

Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive
entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms
and channels. Established in 1986, the company`s dominant brands include Colin
McRae DiRT, Race Driver GRID, Overlord and Operation Flashpoint; the company
recently secured the exclusive worldwide video game rights to FORMULA 1.
Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations
based in Universal City, California. The company also maintains operations in
Germany, France, Spain, Benelux and Malaysia. Codemasters receives over two
million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at
www.codemasters.com.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home
Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and
distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all
current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming
for both internal and third party game titles.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE interactive video game © 2010 Turbine, Inc. and
patents pending. All rights reserved. Middle-earth Poster Map © 2007 The Saul
Zaentz Company, d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises f/k/a Tolkien Enterprises (SZC),
under license to Turbine, Inc. All rights reserved. “The Lord of the Rings
Online,” “Siege of Mirkwood,” Middle-earth Enterprises logo, “The Lord of the
Rings” and the names of the characters, events, items and places therein are
trademarks or registered trademarks of SZC under license to Turbine, Inc.
Turbine and the Turbine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Turbine,
Inc. in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Remi Sklar, 818-977-3023
remi.sklar@warnerbros.com
or
Turbine, Inc.
Adam Mersky, 781-407-4487
amersky@turbine.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010