Online Lord of the Rings Games: MMORPGs, Strategy, Browser Titles & What's Next

MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer)

• The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO): The flagship. Free-to-play (quest packs/expansions paid). Vast Middle-earth (Eriador, Rhovanion, Gondor, Mordor). Deep lore, housing, music system, skirmishes, raids. Active since 2007. lotro.com

Strategy / Tactical (Online Multiplayer)

• The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II (PC, 2006): RTS. Online via GameRanger / C&C:Online (Revora) since GameSpy shutdown. Factions: Men, Elves, Dwarves, Isengard, Mordor, Goblins.
• The Lord of the Rings: Tactics (PSP, 2005): Turn-based tactical. Ad-hoc local only (no infrastructure online).
• The Lord of the Rings: War in the North (2011): Co-op action RPG (3-player). Online co-op campaign. Not competitive.
• The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War (Mobile, 2021): 4X strategy. Seasonal, server-based. F2P with gacha commanders.
• The Lord of the Rings: Legends (Mobile): Real-time hero collector/battler. PvP arena.

Browser / Lightweight (Legacy)

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Browser): Flash-based (dead).
• Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth (Browser): Flash (dead).

Official Hub

• The Lord of the Rings: The Official Game Site — News, lore, map, links to current titles.

Upcoming / Rumored

• The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (2023) — Survival crafting, co-op (not MMO).
• Amazon Games / Embracer Group — New LOTR MMO announced (early development).

Best starting point today: LOTRO (PC) — free, massive, solo-friendly, 17+ years of content.