Codemasters Online have launched their Welcome Back Weekend starting today to Monday 7th March 2011.

All you have to do is download or patch up to the most recent version of the game client and log in. The +10% Bonus XP event will start on Thursday 3rd March and run through the whole weekend, though as the game is now free to play you can log in anytime to start enjoying Middle-earth again!

Play for Free – You can now download LOTRO at www.lotro.com and join with millions of other adventurers as they explore the most complete and authentic recreation of Middle-earth ever created and participate in LOTRO’s award-winning story up to level 50 for free. You can also choose to visit the new LOTRO Store to purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services à la carte, or join the VIP program that provides unlimited access to the game for one low monthly price.

Volume III, Book 2: The Ride of the Grey Company – Having sworn to protect the heirs of Isildur, the Dúnedain responded with all haste to the urgent message from Elrond. Players will join the newly-formed Grey Company in Rivendell as they depart on their journey far from the relative safety of that hidden valley into the new region of Enedwaith. Book 2 consists of fifteen solo-able chapters full of exploration, exciting combat and a healthy dose of mystery.

The LOTRO Store is Now Open for Business! – The LOTRO Store is loaded with thousands of convenience items as well as expansion packs, premium content, additional character slots, potions, character customization and more. The LOTRO Store is seamlessly integrated into the game and lets the player identify new and exciting ways to enhance and customize their experience, using Points which can be purchased in the Store or earned through gameplay.

And Much More! – This latest update also introduces the Wardrobe, a new storage system for cosmetic items that’s available for free to VIP players or can be purchased a la carte from the LOTRO Store, an updated character creation system, a revamped new player experience, the update and addition of “classic” instances featuring repeatable, scalable content, and much more!

You can download the latest European Client update using this link.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced that their next The Lord of the Rings project, being developed by Turbine, Codemasters, is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) and is called The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard. With enhancements to monster play, an increased level cap, the legendary region of Isengard open to exploration and much more, Rise of Isengard will be available for purchase in the LOTRO Store in the Fall of 2011.

Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of Lord of the Rings online, says, “2010 has been a year of unprecedented growth for The Lord of the Rings Online with our successful introduction of a free-to-play option for our players. This is going to be another outstanding year for the game as we progress on our journey toward Mordor and it all begins with our upcoming November update. The journey will carry through 2011 ending with our arrival in the epic region of Isengard where players will confront the raging war and shadow that has spread across Middle-earth.”

Here are some new features that will be featured in Rise of Isengard:

– Experience the Rise of Isengard – The Epic Story continues as the Grey Company makes its way south into Dunland, but troubles arise as their road takes them into lands where Dunlending forces, marshaled by the Wizard Saruman, prepare for war. The Rangers must seek new allies and face dangerous new foes, chief among them the traitor Saruman, whose web of intrigue threatens to endanger your quest, your friends, and your life.

– Increased Level Cap — Players will be able advance their characters up to level 70, gaining access to new traits, virtues, skills and class quests.

– Expanded Monster Play – LOTRO’s monster play system will get a major revamp including opening up the feature to all players, changes to monster player skills and advancement and a brand new region for players to battle for or against the forces of evil.

Warner Bros describes Lord of the Rings Online as follows: “LOTRO is the ultimate adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players can experience the world of Middle-earth for free!”

We will have more info for you soon, stay tuned.