Turbine and Tolkien Enterprises Extend Relationship
[20-Feb-2008]
WESTWOOD,
MA - February 20, 2008 - Turbine,
Inc. announced today that in the wake of the global success of The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM: Shadows of
AngmarTM, named the 2007 PC Game of the Year*, it has reached an agreement
with Tolkien Enterprises to extend it's license to develop Massively
Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPG) based on The Hobbit and The Lord of
the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien to 2014 with additional options to extend the
rights until 2017.
"We're
thrilled with the global success of The
Lord of the Rings Online since its launch in 2007," said Jim Crowley,
president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. "With
the recent announcement of what are sure to be two blockbuster films based on The
Hobbit and a sequel, we expect the success of the license and our relationship
with Tolkien Enterprises to grow for years to come."
"We
have had a wonderful working relationship with Turbine over the past several
years," said Albert M. Bendich, Executive Vice President of The Saul Zaentz Company, and its merchandising division Tolkien
Enterprises. "We look forward to our continuing success with Turbine as it pushes
the envelope for compelling online entertainment and gameplay to bring the compelling
characters of Middle-earth to life for Tolkien fans around the world."
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
Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players will experience the world
of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online is
available in North America, Europe, Australia,
New Zealand and Japan.
For more information, please visit www.lotro.com.
About Turbine
Turbine,
Inc. is the premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds
that foster powerful social gaming communities.
Founded over a decade ago with the vision of becoming a leading provider
of online entertainment, Turbine has grown to become one of the largest
privately-held online gaming studios in North America.
Turbine has created some of the world's most popular and award-winning exciting
online games, including The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM: Shadows of AngmarTM,
Dungeons & Dragons Online® 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.
###
"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 other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.