WESTWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2006--Turbine, Inc. announced today that The Codemasters Software Company Limited will distribute and operate the online service for The Lord of the Rings Online(TM): Shadows of Angmar(TM) in Europe. Under the agreement, Codemasters will be responsible for the distribution, hosting, community management, technical support, and billing for the title. This announcement follows Turbine's previous selection of Codemasters to provide European support for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE(TM): Stormreach(TM), the highly anticipated online virtual world currently scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2006.

"Codemasters' top-notch distribution experience and passion for online gaming make it the right choice for The Lord of the Rings Online(TM) in Europe," explained Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO of Turbine. "We look forward to working with Codemasters on both launches."

The first and only massively multiplayer online role playing game based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar will allow players to forge heroic characters to fight against the growing shadow in Angmar and Lord Sauron's struggle for Middle-earth. Fans will be able to choose from the diverse races and classes drawn straight from these epic novels, and to immerse themselves into an evolving and persistent re-creation of Middle-earth. Every player can establish their own unique, heroic legacy while discovering the richness of Middle-earth, its legendary weapons, unforgettable monsters, and strategic battles - all while adventuring solo or in Fellowships.

"Codemasters is thrilled to launch The Lord of the Rings Online in Europe," said Rod Cousens, CEO of Codemasters. "The Lord of the Rings is the original source of so much of the fantasy entertainment today and Turbine is recreating the adventure and magic of Tolkien like no other."

For the latest news and images from The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, please visit http://lotro.turbine.com. At the site, visitors can join the rapidly growing community, interact with the game's developers, get detailed information on the title, and receive first looks at pre-release content from the game. Over one million posts have already been registered on the site!