Vivendi Universal Games today officially announced Middle Earth Online, a Lord of the Rings MMORPG in development at Turbine Games (Asheron's Call 1 & 2). Details and screenshots up are at GameSpot. GameSpy also has a few screenshots.

Middle-Earth Online will be a 3D online RPG that will immerse players in the world of Middle-earth and let them create characters using a number of Tolkien archetypes. Characters will be able to adventure throughout the world of Middle-earth depicted in the novels. Along the way, they will form kinships, build race-specific buildings, and craft unique items and weapons.