By: Chella Ramanan

Lord of the Rings Online is gearing up for a big expansion this fall, one that will take players deep and wide, all the way into the depths of Moria. GiN Reporter Chella Ramanan got a first hand look at the Mines of Moria expansion at the Codemasters Connect event this week, and said that the mines looked great so far.

‘Mines of Moria' is volume two of the hugely successful MMO game and allows players to explore the ruins of the legendary dwarven cities. The expansion also includes two new character classes – Rune Keeper and Warden. Deep in the dwarven mines, players will be able to forge legendary weapons as well as confronting vile hordes of the Nameless Deep and Sauron's minions.

Characters will also be able to advance past the current level 50 restrictions all the way up to level 60 if they get the expansion pack. This new high level cap may be an indication that the Mines of Moria are not a place for the faint of heart, or the low of level.

Codemasters have also confirmed that there is a new major expansion volume planned (the minor free ones are currently called books) every year from now on. ‘Mines of Moria' is set to be released this autumn.

Codemasters has launched a ‘Mines of Moria' website featuring mini-games that allow fans of the game to unlock secrets about the upcoming expansion at www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com.