WESTWOOD, Mass. -- MAY 10, 2006 -- Turbine, Inc. has officially started taking Beta player registrations for the highly-anticipated The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™, the first and only massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

To sign up for their chance to be selected for The Lord of the Rings Online™ Beta, players should head to http://beta.turbine.com/signup.  The Beta Program will launch later this summer.

WESTWOOD, Mass. -- MAY 10, 2006 -- Turbine, Inc. has officially started taking Beta player registrations for the highly-anticipated The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™, the first and only massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

"If you have ever read the books or seen the movies, you have wanted to be a part of Tolkien's epic adventure," said Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. "Players everywhere will finally get the chance with this MMORPG; we are excited about bringing players into Middle-earth." The Lord of the Rings Online will be showcased at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world's biggest trade event exclusively dedicated to showcasing the best in interactive entertainment and software, where players can play as one of four characters in the game as they are sent by a Ranger to reclaim Weathertop from a party of Orcs. Players who complete the mission successfully will win a slot into the Beta.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar allows players to explore the most famous fantasy world of all time, fight the evil minions of the Dark Lord Sauron, and advance their heroes by adventuring through the vast reaches of Middle-earth™. Fans of The Lord of the Rings are also encouraged to register for the Beta at the official web site, www.thelordoftheringsonline.com.

About Turbine

Turbine, Inc. is a premier developer, publisher and operator of online subscription entertainment and is headquartered in Westwood, Massachusetts.  The company is one of the largest privately-held online games company in North America. Turbine's catalogue includes some of the most famous online entertainment brands, including Asheron's Call^®, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE™: Stormreach™, and The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™. For more information on Turbine and its 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.