The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar

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.