No need to keep it secret and safe anymore, now that its open online to the public anyways. Midway announces that The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar, its MMORPG based on J.R.R. Tolkien's acclaimed LOTR fantasy franchise, has officially launched and its servers are live. After the initial retail purchase, Shadows of Angmar will require a $14.99 USD monthly subscription rate.

"The release of The Lord of the Rings Online marks a momentous occasion for MMO gamers and Tolkien fans around the world," said Jeff Anderson, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. "Countless adventures await gamers eager to experience Middle-earth in an entirely new way and we're confident that once they’ve visited this epic world, they'll never want to leave."

"The Lord of the Rings franchise, with its incredibly rich history and extensive fan base, lends itself perfectly to the MMO genre," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. "We're thrilled to be able to partner with Turbine to bring The Lord of the Rings Online to North American gamers looking for a way to experience the world of Middle-earth like never before."

Turbine also announced today the first update to The Lord of the Rings Online. This free update, called the Shores of Evendim, is scheduled to be released this coming June and will include an entirely new landscape region, over 60 additional quests, the Battle for Helegrod raid, nine new monsters and major enhancements to monster play and the music system.

Wolfwood via midway.com »