Turbine, Inc. has launched the official 10-day free trial of The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO).  Beginning today, players in North America, Australia and New Zealand can play the game voted Best Overall Game of 2008 by the readers of MMORPG.com by visiting www.lotro.com/trial.

In conjunction with the launch of the Free Trial, Turbine has teamed up with Xfire to offer players a chance to win great prizes for signing up to play LOTRO (Full Game or Free Trial) and joining the Official Xfire LOTRO Clan while signed into Xfire from January 28th to February 11th*.  Thirty (30) winners will be chosen at random to receive great prizes based on the following categories:

Gold Level Prizes (10): More than 50 hours

·         6-Month Subscription to The Lord of the Rings Online

·         In-Game Mount (Bree Horse)

Silver Level Prize (10): 15 to 50 Hours

·         3-Month Subscription to The Lord of the Rings Online

·         LOTRO T-shirt

Bronze Prize (10): Less than 15 Hours

·         30-Day The Lord of the Rings Online Subscription|

“LOTRO brings all the excitement and adventure of greatest fantasy of all time to life with a state-of-the-art online social experience that has earned the title of Best MMO* for two years running,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online.  “And now we want everyone to have the opportunity to walk through the Shire, delve deep into the Mines of Moria, fight with their own fellowship in the War of the Ring and fully experience what everyone has been talking about.”

Eligible fans can participate in The Lord of the Rings Online Free Trial and play the game for 10 days free of charge. At the end of the Free Trial, players will have the option of continuing to play LOTRO, and to keep the characters created during their 10-day free trial time, by purchasing the game.  To participate in the 10-day free trial or to find out where to buy LOTRO, visit www.lotro.com/trial.

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate interactive adventure.  Join Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo, and many other characters in the war against the Dark Lord Sauron to save Middle-earth.  This award-winning MMORPG recently expanded with the critically acclaimed launch of Mines of Moria where players can venture into the largest and most dangerous online underground environment ever created while extending the challenge to new heights with two new classes, ten additional levels and hundreds of new quests including a face off with the Watcher, the Balrog and more. The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria is available for purchase across North America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.lotro.com/moria.