I regret having to be so mean in the subtitle, but I’ve simply seen too many dates abruptly halted because of sudden elaboration on why Middle Earth is as it is “today”. So, this news will probably be a godsend to many LoTR fans, as Turbine chief Jim Crowley confirmed that Lord of the Rings Online will get a social networking site later this year.

The site will feature character profiles, friends lists, video sharing features, and basically any feature found in major social networkings such as Facebook and Myspace.

He added that this will help involve players closer in the game and drive “viral customer acquisition.”

The site is expected to launch at the end of Q4 this year, but Crowley added that Turbine’s other games, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Asheron’s Call, will also get similar sites in late 2008 or 2009.

More here.