The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (commonly abbreviated to LOTRO, LotRO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Microsoft Windows set in a fantasy universe based upon J. R. R. Tolkien`s Middle-earth writings. It takes place during the time period of The Lord of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar was developed by Turbine, is subscription-based, and requires Internet access. It launched in Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan and Europe on April 24, 2007. In China, beta testing started in July 2007, and the game was released by the end of 2007. The first expansion pack, Mines of Moria, was released on November 17, 2008.

The game`s milieu is based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. However, Turbine does not have rights to any other works in Tolkien`s legendarium, such as The Silmarillion or The Children of Húrin. Much of the gameplay is typical of the MMO format: The player controls a character avatar which can be moved around the game world and interacts with other players, non-player (computer-controlled) characters (or "NPCs") and other entities in the virtual world. Camera angles can be switched between first-person and third-person options. Players` characters are improved by gaining "levels". A character`s level increases after it earns a set amount of experience points through the player versus environment (or "PvE") combat and storyline adventures. Characters` abilities are improved by increasing in level, but character skills must be purchased from specified NPCs after gaining a new level. The main storyline (also known as the "Epic Quest Line") is presented as a series of "Books", which consist of series of quests called "Chapters". There were initially eight Books when the game was released, with new books added with each free content update.

Player versus player (PvP) combat is included in the form called "Monster Play" or "Player vs Monster Player (PvMP)".[5] Monster Play is unlocked when a player`s character reaches level 10; players can then play a level 60 monster. These monster players (also known as `creeps`) have their own quests, titles and deeds, and fight the Heroes (player characters of level 40 and above, and known as `freeps`) in the Ettenmoors. Both heroes and monsters fight for the control of various keeps in the Ettenmoors, of which 5 are able to be taken. When one side holds 3 outposts, they are able to go into the Delving of Frór, a dungeon area beneath the Ettenmoors. Outposts are smaller versions of keeps and require less people to overtake. Both monster players and Heroes gain ranks in the Ettenmoors through defeating the opposing side. Monsters receive infamy for killing a Hero, and Heroes receive renown for killing a monster player. There are 15 achievable ranks, starting at Footman, and ending at Captain-General (for Heroes) or starting at Tracker and ending at Tyrant (for monster players). Gaining ranks allows you to purchase specific equipment and armour (for Heroes) or core upgrades, like health, armour and power (for Monsters).

Characters obtain titles and traits by completing "deeds" in the game. Deeds are earned in each area of the game, by killing a set amount of monsters in an area, using a certain ability a set number of times, completing a number of quests in a given area, or finding certain locations or unique items. Completion of these deeds yields a fixed amount of experience points to the player, and sometimes award traits or titles.

Titles have no direct impact on gameplay. Instead they provide another means of customization by adding additional information to your name. Some titles are common while others can be difficult to obtain. Each character starts with one title that indicates their origin. Titles are earned by completing deeds and quests and by mastering tiers in professions. Only one title can be active at a time. Characters who are ranked in the Ettenmoors can also have a prefix to signify their rank. You can also receive a title of Kinship rank.