Platform: PC Online
Genre: MMORPG
Developer: Turbine Inc
Publisher: Turbine Inc under exclusive licence ( buy out of vivendi licence )
Status: Under Development, Pre/Closed Alpha
Release date: 2006
Service Territory:
Official Website:
http://lotro.turbine.com
The amazing world of J.R.R. Tolkien's literary works comes to life as never before in The Lord of the Rings Online": Shadows of Angmar". For the first time ever, players can explore this living world online. As the lands of Middle-earth fall under a growing threat from the dark realm of Angmar, only the mightiest of deeds and the stoutest of hearts can halt the advance of Sauron's minions.
Epic adventures punctuated with strategic combat combine to create a unique experience where your actions visibly effect the state of the world. Become a legendary hero as you write a new chapter in the adventure loved by millions in The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar"!
Features
* The only massively-multiplayer role-playing game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth
* Explore and adventure in Middle-earth with thousands of other players
* Travel with your Fellowship in the fight against the forces of Sauron
* Experience story-based questing and build your legacy
* Play as a member of the races of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth
* Visit the pastoral Shire, elegant Rivendell, rustic Bree, and many other locations from The Fellowship of the Ring
FAQ'S
When is the Beta?
The beta period will begin as we move closer to releasing the game. We will announce the start of beta on this site and through the official newsletter.
Why does LOTRO look different from the movies?
Both the recent The Lord of the Rings™ movies and The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ are based on the trilogy by JRR Tolkien. However, the two projects are not related directly to each other and do not share art, music, or settings.
Will a regular fee be required to play?
Yes, but the amount of the subscription fee has not yet been determined.
What are the system requirements for The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™?
We have not yet determined the system requirements for LOTRO.
Will LOTRO be released for the Mac / Xbox / Playstation / Gamecube?
LOTRO is currently only in development for Windows-based PC platforms.
Where in Middle-earth will the game take place?
The initial launch of the game will cover the region of Eriador, including the Shire, Rivendell, Breeland, and other landmarks from The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien License Announcement
How did Turbine secure the license to make MMO games based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s wonderful works, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit?
Turbine approached Vivendi and Tolkien Enterprises about taking over the massively multiplayer online (MMO) games license and ownership of LOTRO. Given our experience with online games and the stage of product development, it made sense for Turbine to take over the license for The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™.
How will The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ (LOTRO) benefit from Turbine acquiring the game and the MMORPG rights?
Now that Turbine can work directly with Tolkien Enterprises, we will have more flexibility in the game design and can incorporate feedback relating to the representation of the Tolkien literary works in a more real-time basis. Both Tolkien Enterprises and Turbine are committed to making LOTRO an engaging, immersive, and truly representative re-creation of Middle-earth.
Why did Vivendi give up the rights to LOTRO?
That question is best answered by Vivendi. Turbine first approached Vivendi about taking over LOTRO as an independent project.
How will the game be sold at retail? Does Turbine plan to sell the game itself?
As the exclusive licensee and publisher of The Lord of the Rings Online, Turbine is committed to making sure this world-class product will be properly marketed and distributed so that all fans of Tolkien and MMORGs can buy and play the game. Turbine will work with a well-respected retail partner to handle inventory and retail sales for us.
What are you doing with the extra time now that the game is shipping in 2006 instead of 2005?
Now that Turbine is the sole licensee, we have more control over the direction of the game. Our goal has always been to create a living representation of Tolkien's Middle-earth and allow players to participate and be immersed in the world. This extra time will allow us to implement changes we feel will make a better experience.
Can Turbine now use text from The Silmarillion?
The license covers the amazing literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. It does not include The Silmarillion.
CEO QnA session
The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ is the name of the first installment of our game. As we continue to extend into further exploration of Middle-earth, you will see other products grow from the LOTRO franchise – after all, this is just the beginning!
There have been a lot of questions since we made the decision to change the name, and I thought this was a good time to try to address some of your concerns and tell you a bit more about where we're going.
First of all, I want to assure everyone that changing the game's name has nothing to do with our commitment to Tolkien's fans all over the world. We continue to work hard to bring you a compelling, authentic online recreation of Middle-earth that is constantly growing in scope, depth and grandeur, giving more and more access to all the treasured places and people we have all come to know so well. This is also a huge opportunity for us is to explore places only touched upon in The Lord of the Rings, as well as all the amazing places you would expect to encounter in your travels.
The way we see it, "Middle-earth" encapsulates the world we hope to explore with our players over the years ahead, while we constantly add to the game and expand the areas you can explore. The new name for the game helps us establish that in the first few installments, we will be guided in part by the basic parts of the world visited by the Fellowship in their travels (as well as some unexplored areas). This gives us a focused scope as we tackle one of the largest worlds ever envisioned in writing, and allows us to make sure you'll encounter the most familiar people and places from the books.
I also thought it might be helpful to summarize and address some of the specific concerns I have seen in the forums (yes, I really read them!) more directly:
Does this imply partnership with the actual Fellowship and/or story or the Ringbearer?
While our intention has always been to allow players to interact with some members of the Fellowship, and maintain an awareness of the unfolding events of the LOTR story, we are even more excited about our ability to help players explore and discover the many places not covered specifically in the books. The change in name doesn't reflect any change in that approach, but merely our desire to attract a broader audience to come and enjoy the richness of Middle-earth.
Won't LOTRO risk confusion with other LOTR-related domains?
LOTRO is and will be the only MMO based on The Lord of the Rings. Working closely with Tolkien Enterprises, we will make certain it remains distinguished from other games centered around LOTR. The branding of the game, "The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™" is intentionally unique in the gaming world and will be differentiated as much as possible. We believe it clearly points to the expanded scope of our game.
Have you abandoned the idea of living and exploring in Middle-earth in favor of "participating" in the story of LOTR?
Not at all. The recent discussions about some of the earlier design goals of creating a Middle-earth "sandbox" are really pointing to our efforts to make certain that while players are exploring and living within an authentic Middle-earth, they are also being guided and challenged by a compelling story arc and meaningful, fun gameplay. We still believe the world of Middle-earth is a place players will want to exist in and explore for a long time to come; however, we also want to make sure there is always solid, meaningful gameplay helping to drive that experience.
I want to find my own path and help the Free Peoples and adventure, not simply retrace the footsteps of the Fellowship. I do not want to influence the actual War of the Ring in a major way.
Though you will be able to effect the story arc of the world in some ways, and even change the world (which is VERY cool, BTW), your actions will not in any way alter the overall course of events in the War of the Ring. Your actions will complement, or simply focus on, other aspects of Middle-earth during the Great Years. One of the guiding design principles of LOTRO has been to ensure the player is creating their own heroic path through Middle-earth, so you will have your own, unique experience while you help the Free Peoples of the land.
I hope this helps to clarify these issues a bit. All of us are VERY excited about the momentum we are starting to get on this project, with an exciting new direction, new website, a DEMO of the game at Turbine's E3 booth this year (yeah, very cool), and what will be an ever-increasing amount of press coverage .
Namárië,
Jeffrey Steefel
Executive Producer, The Lord of the Rings Online™
Link to Official E3 Trailer
Pre-Alpha Game information
Linear Mode
