What Happened to Turbine, Inc.?
Turbine, Inc. was a pioneering American video game developer known for creating influential massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) like Asheron's Call, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and The Lord of the Rings Online. After being acquired by Warner Bros. in 2010, the company underwent a significant transformation, eventually rebranding as WB Games Boston and shifting its focus to mobile game development, while its flagship MMORPGs were spun off to a new independent studio, Standing Stone Games, in late 2016.
Quick Answer
Turbine, Inc., the renowned developer of MMORPGs such as *The Lord of the Rings Online* and *Dungeons & Dragons Online*, was acquired by Warner Bros. in 2010. By late 2016, Warner Bros. transitioned Turbine to focus on free-to-play mobile games, leading to the spin-off of the teams responsible for LOTRO and DDO into a new independent studio called Standing Stone Games. Turbine, Inc. itself was subsequently rebranded as WB Games Boston and continues to operate as a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Games, developing various titles, primarily in the mobile sector.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Founded as CyberSpace, Inc.
Turbine, Inc. was founded as CyberSpace, Inc. by Jeremy Gaffney, Jonathan Monsarrat, Kevin Langevin, and Timothy Miller, pioneering 3D MMORPGs.
Release of Asheron's Call
Turbine released its first major MMORPG, Asheron's Call, published by Microsoft, establishing its presence in the online gaming market.
Release of Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings
The sequel to their debut title, Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings, was released, though it was later shut down in 2005.
Company Renamed to Turbine, Inc.
CyberSpace, Inc. officially changed its name to Turbine, Inc., reflecting its evolving brand identity.
Launch of Dungeons & Dragons Online
Turbine launched Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach, an MMORPG based on the popular tabletop game, published by Atari.
Launch of The Lord of the Rings Online
Turbine released its highly successful MMORPG, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, co-published with Midway Games in the US.
Acquired by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group acquired Turbine, Inc. for a reported $160 million, gaining control of the Lord of the Rings game licenses.
The Lord of the Rings Online Goes Free-to-Play
LOTRO transitioned from a subscription-based model to a free-to-play model, significantly expanding its player base.
Beginning of Layoffs and Shift to Mobile Focus
Turbine began experiencing layoffs, and Warner Bros. started to shift the studio's focus towards developing free-to-play mobile games.
Infinite Crisis Development Ends
Turbine's first non-MMORPG, the MOBA game Infinite Crisis, which launched in March 2015, ceased development and was shut down by Warner Bros.
LOTRO and DDO Teams Spin Off to Standing Stone Games
The development teams for The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online separated from Turbine to form Standing Stone Games, an independent studio, with Daybreak Game Company as publisher.
Rebranded as WB Games Boston
Turbine, Inc. was officially rebranded as WB Games Boston, continuing its operations as a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Games, focusing on new projects.
Standing Stone Games Announces Major LOTRO Expansion for 2026
Standing Stone Games, the successor to Turbine for LOTRO development, announced a major expansion for The Lord of the Rings Online to be revealed at Gen Con, signaling continued active development for the game.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Turbine, Inc. began its journey in April 1994 as CyberSpace, Inc., founded by Jeremy Gaffney, Jonathan Monsarrat, Kevin Langevin, and Timothy Miller. The company quickly established itself as a pioneer in the 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) genre with the release of Asheron's Call in 1999, followed by its sequel in 2002. They further solidified their reputation with Dungeons & Dragons Online in 2006 and the critically acclaimed The Lord of the Rings Online in 2007.
A significant turning point for Turbine occurred on April 20, 2010, when it was acquired by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group for a reported $160 million. This acquisition gave Warner Bros. control over all Lord of the Rings game license rights, aligning with their existing movie rights. Under Warner Bros., Turbine continued to operate its successful MMORPGs, with The Lord of the Rings Online transitioning to a free-to-play model in 2010.
However, by 2014, Turbine began experiencing layoffs, signaling a shift in strategic direction. In June 2016, Warner Bros. confirmed that Turbine was transitioning into a free-to-play mobile development studio, resulting in further layoffs. The studio developed mobile titles such as Batman: Arkham Underworld and announced Game of Thrones: Conquest.
The most impactful change came in December 2016, when the development teams for The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online separated from Turbine to form a new independent studio, Standing Stone Games. This new studio, staffed by many of the original developers, took over the ongoing development and operations of both MMORPGs, partnering with Daybreak Game Company for global publishing services. This move effectively marked the end of Turbine, Inc.'s direct involvement with its most iconic MMORPGs.
Following the spin-off, Turbine, Inc. was formally rebranded as WB Games Boston. As of 2026, WB Games Boston continues to operate as a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Games, focusing on various game development projects, primarily in the mobile space, under the leadership of studio head Steve Sadin. Meanwhile, Standing Stone Games, with publishing support from Daybreak Game Company, continues to actively develop and release expansions for The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online, with new content and expansions planned through 2026 and beyond.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Turbine, Inc. made different choices?