A new expansion for Turbine Inc.'s MMORPG, The Lord of the Rings Online has been announced to be launched this holiday season. Siege of Mirkwood will be coming to add some more action and adventure to the world of LotRO on December 1st, 2009.

Turbine has released the latest update to Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria. The expansion is now on Book 7: Leaves of Lorien, which adds new features and gameplay enhancements. Check out details and screenshots after the link.

While World of Warcraft gamers are celebrating its second expansion, the populace of Lord of the Rings Online can now enjoy their first. The doors of the Mines of Moria are now open and waiting for you.

Details after the link.

Let's take a short break from the Tokyo Game Show as we bring news to the MMO crowd. The first retail expansion pack to Lord of the Rings Online, Mines of Moria, has been given a release date. Expect it be available on November 18. Pre-order pricing details after the link.

Recent data released by the NPD Group suggest online gaming subscriptions in the U.S. turn in over US$ 1 billion a year. Worldwide phenomenon World of Warcraft and popular website Pogo.com help boost the industry's revenue. See the full article for details.

With already four MMO titles currently bearing the Codemasters seal, vice president David Solari outlines some of the future plans for the company in the next few years. He mentions an initiative to bring in some in-house developers to create their own MMO titles and much more. Find out more about these plans in our full article after the jump.

Lord of the Rings Online gamers, have you started exploring the Ice Bay of Forochel yet? Here are several new screenshots of the region to get you going. Check them out in the full article.

It's time for another round of "guess who" for Tolkien fans. Take a guess: who is the cousin of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Clue: he and his wife, Lobelia, tried to auction off Bilbo's possessions when he went off on the Quest of Erebor. You might have encountered his son and his wife on your travels through the Shire in Lord of the Rings Online. Got a name yet? Go to the full article to see if you got it right.

Pop quiz, Tolkien fans! Who was the wife of Tom Bombadil, also known as River-woman's daughter? This River-maiden is also in Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, so you might have met her on your travels as well if you play the MMO. Take a guess and head to the full article to see if you're right.

Lord of the Rings Online gamers, heads up! In case you didn't know yet (how could you not?), Book 13: Doom of the Last-king is already available for download. Head over to the full article to recap on the game's new features in this update.