First Look Preview
Midway has secured the book rights to Lord of the Rings, and is working with
Turbine to develop a massive multiplayer online (MMO) game that takes place
in Middle Earth.
Turbine has experience with MMOs, as they have developed Asheron’s Call,
Asheron’s Call 2, and the more recent Dungeons & Dragons Online. The
playable races are human, elf, dwarf and hobbit. The classes include
captain, burglar, hunter, guardian, champion, minstrel, and lore-master. It
will play similar to other MMOs, but Turbine is focusing on a few things
that make this a different experience. They are not just relying on the
license and pumping out an MMO clone. The focus will be on smaller
fellowships of 4-6 people, and there will be a stronger story line to
follow. There is also more for a single player to do without joining a
fellowship. You won’t be going on large raids, as the largest group you can
form is to work with another
fellowship to conquer a quest.
Unfortunately, you won’t see as much
magic and outrageous battles found in similar games. This game stay’s true
to the world that Tolkien created. You will find minstrels and lore masters
performing some magic. However, similar
to the well know wizard Gandalf, they don’t run around abusing their magic.
Your quest will take you in a different direction,
and takes place just before the events from the movie. You are on your way
to region of Eriador, and will go through familiar areas like Bree-land and
the Shire.
Fans of the book should look forward to this game. If you are not familiar
with the books, but like the world that
Tolkien has created, there is plenty for you to enjoy. Beta testing is just
getting started, and you can expect the game to be released later this year.
