Rift: Planes of Telara Release Date Announced, Box Art Finalized

Trion Worlds fired over a press release a few minutes ago that not only announces that their fantasy MMORPG Rift: Planes of Telara will launch on March 1st, 2011, but it also contains information about a new Collector's Edition and Digital Collector's Edition that players can pre-order starting today. Here we go:
RIFTâ„¢ SET TO LAUNCH MARCH 1, 2011

Retail and Digital Pre-Order Start Today

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. January 4, 2011 Trion Worlds, a global publisher and developer of premium online games, today announced that the upcoming MMORPG Riftâ„¢ is scheduled to launch in North America on March 1st  and in Europe on March 4th. Today also marks the start of the game's pre-order program through both digital and retail channels.

(The launch of Rift is the culmination of our tireless efforts over the past several years to bring players the most complete, full-featured, and dynamic online game they've ever experienced,) said Lars Buttler, CEO of Trion Worlds. (Through the dedication, creativity, and incredible track record of our veteran development team, we've been able to create an exceptionally polished and immersive online world filled with adventure, surprise, and beauty. We can't wait to share Rift with players around the world.)

Beginning today, customers who pre-order Rift receive their choice of one-of-three exclusive in-game pets, and are eligible to participate in the head-start period anticipated to begin February 24th. Pre-order customers will also be granted access to play in all remaining closed-beta events. Beta details, including a regularly updated event schedule, are available at http://www.RIFTgame.com/beta.

Available for purchase online and at select retail outlets, the Standard, Digital Collector's and Retail Collector's Editions of the game will sell for $49.99, $59.99 and $79.99 USD, respectively. The standard monthly subscription rate for the game will be $14.99 USD.

Rift will also offer a limited-time (Founder's Pricing) for players, featuring a $9.99 USD/month price for a multi-month subscription.  For more information on Founder's Pricing and subscription details, visit http://www.RIFTgame.com/subscriptions

For all info on the Collector's Editions, pre-order incentives, and subscription plans, please visit http://www.RIFTgame.com/preorder.

Rift is rated T for Teen by the ESRB with the following content descriptors: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language and Violence.

For the latest info on Rift, please visit http://www.RIFTgame.com.

About Rift
Adventure in the world of Telara as either a noble Guardian or technomagical Defiant and enter a dynamic fantasy where 8 primal forces battle for control in an ever-changing landscape. Build your own class using the Ascended Soul system, embark on epic conflicts that bring you into the story, battle others in exhilarating Player vs. Player combat, achieve new heights of power by tackling epic raids, and so much more.

About Trion Worlds
Trion Worlds is the premier publisher and developer of connected video games. With groundbreaking new server platform capabilities, Trion delivers high-quality, fully dynamic, and massively social content across video game genres, gaming platforms, and mass-market entertainment formats. Headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., with development and technology studios in San Diego, Calif., and Austin, Texas, Trion is redefining interactive entertainment in the connected era.
The finalized box artwork can be found on our profile page, as well.