5/22/01 - Latest News
Frodo at E3
DarthCaeser @ 2:57 pm EST
As reported on the front page, Elijah Wood (Frodo) attended this years E3 (read the story here). So, the big question, did Elijah see the FOTR demo? Well, indeed he did. He reportedly was very impressed by the demo and used the word "wicked" quite a few times. If Frodo himself was impressed, it can't be all that bad :)
Fellowship report
DarthCaeser @ 2:42 pm EST
Sierra wrote in to say they were none to happy with my report on Tolkien Online's report on the FOTR demo at E3, especially since I have not yet seen the demo. So I just want to make it clear, no I have not seen the demo, my negative reaction was solely due to Tolkien Online's report about a magic sword wielding, fire ball launching Frodo taking on killer Badgers and mutant mushrooms. I will wait until I see the demo before I judge it, and wait until I have the final product in my hands before I pass judgment on the game as a whole. I've actually heard a lot of positive remarks about the demo, it's just the shock of 'Frodo: Warrior Hobbit' kind of skewed my thinking for a bit there. I repeat, I have not yet seen the demo, and my reaction to the Tolkien Online report was because of the part about Frodo, not because of the demo itself.
5/21/01 - Latest News
Special Advance Peek at Sierra's new Fellowship game
Calisuri @ 3:46 pm EST
Green Books staffers, Ostadan and Quickbeam, recently hit the hyperactive and noisy E3 where Sierra On-Line was proud to show us their "Fellowship of the Ring" game. We spoke at length with their reps (including the Senior Producer) and got a real good look at some great designs! Ost and I have differing views, so we do the Ebert & Roeper back-and-forth bitching. [More]
Platus Productions Trilogy relaunch
DarthCaeser @ 12:34 am EST
I got this e-mail from Owen: "Hi, ive been a follower of theonering.net for a while and i was really bummed when Platus Productions cancelled the Trilogy. Anyway I discovered The Trilogy has been relaunched. Turns out Smeagol and Gandalf are producing it. I think Gandalf was one of the musicians for The Trilogy, well this is the new site theyve got http://www.geocities.com/gandalfsrealm just keeping you up to date, keep up the great site!" This is from their site: "The game is going to be freely distributed over the internet and so we can't make it too massive to download. It will be released in most likely 4 parts.
1. The Hobbit
2. The Fellowship of the ring
3. The Two Towers
4. The Return Of The King"
5/20/01 - Latest News
Speaking of Zelda...
DarthCaeser @ 9:43 pm EST
Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons were recently released for the Game Boy Color. These two games from Nintendo have been getting rave reviews. I haven't picked either of them up yet (I'm hoping Nintendo will read this and send me free copies ;) but I'm sure these games will help ease the pain as we anxiously await the new LOTR games. IGN's reviews: Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
5/19/01 - Latest News
MM3D vs. Sierra: Round 2
DarthCaeser @ 4:55 pm EST
MM3D has re-filed their lawsuit against Sierra. Here's the official statement from their web site: "MM3D has re filed. Despite our (MM3D's) best efforts, we were unable to resolve this matter. Thank you for the ongoing support and interest. - Bridgette The case was filed on 05/17/2001
Case Details:
Case number: BC250758
Los Angeles Superior Court - Department 21
IGN's preview of the Fellowship of the Ring
DarthCaeser @ 2:02 am EST
IGN Xbox has posted a preview of the Fellowship of the Ring: "Fellowship of the Ring is a third person action/adventure where you play as Frodo Baggins as he begins his quest to destroy The One Ring. Through eight large areas (comprised of about twenty-four sub-levels), Frodo will travel from The Shire, through the Old Forest, rest in the Prancing Pony in Bree, battle the Nazgul at Weathertop, meet with the Elves at Rivendell, encounter unbelievable terror in Moria, enjoy the beauty of Lothlórien, and finally encounter the river Anduin." [More]
5/18/01 - Latest News
E3 Reports: Gamespy.com Images
Calisuri @ 9:33 pm EST
Ringer gamer Luciano sends us to GameSpy.com to feast our eyes on a huge poster from this year's E3 event. [More]
Decipher wants YOU!
Xoanon @ 3:20 pm EST
Playtesters Wanted for Lord of the Rings TCG by Tim Ellington Want to be a part of Decipher's biggest Trading Card Game ever? Played a few TCGs? Think you know a little about Lord of the Rings? If you think you've got what we're looking for, then now's the time to tell us. We are accepting applications for playtesting positions on Decipher's Lord of the Rings TCG, to be released this fall. But before you hit the send button on that electronic résumé, we need to tell you that you must be at least 18 years old to be a playtester. Please give us the following information. Be complete and accurate (your first chance to impress us with your attention to detail). :-) Name: In addition, please list any experience you have in different playgroups. Please send us your application by Monday, May 21, 2001. You may email the information to time@decipher.com with the subject line of PLAYTEST APPLICATION or mail it to Decipher Inc., 253 Granby Street, Norfolk VA Join us as we create a brand-new game based on the wonderful world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. And look for upcoming announcements as we get closer to the release of the Lord of the Rings Premiere set, and the debut of The Fellowship of the Ring motion picture. Tim Ellington
Age:
Address:
E-mail address:
Occupation:
TCGs played:
Playtesting experience:
Tolkien familiarity:
References:
23510 attention Tom Lischke.
time@decipher.com
May 18, 2001
NOOOOO!!!!!!!
DarthCaeser @ 2:02 am EST
WARNING! Not for the faint of heart! Tolkien Online got to see the demo of Sierra's new LOTR game, the Fellowship of the Ring, at E3. After reading their report, I promptly curled into the fetal position and started weeping. Some three hours later, I am now stable enough to write a report of my own. ::Shudder:: OK, now for my report: NOOOOO!!!!!!! It has to be some kind of sick, twisted, cruel joke. I just can't believe it. Take a look at part of what Ted from Tolkien Online wrote: A rather small humanoid was on the screen in front of me he had a sword drawn and a cape flowed behind him. A squirrel scurried across his path and the leaves were falling from the trees. ( A nice touch as this was the Old Forest and it was approaching fall when the Hobbits walked through it in the book, If I remember it right.) The forest was a lush green with bushes and trees of all sort, large Stones blocked the passage at certain points. The animation was good and the feel felt right. Soon off in the distance I noticed two creatures approaching. The person demonstrating the game said that in order to bring magic to Frodo, they had to implement a rune system of magic which would activate on Frodo's sword. Frodo activated his fire rune and Sting started to leave a fire trail when he swung it. As Frodo approached the two creatures, it became apparent that they were badgers. Frodo quickly dispatched the giant badgers, but not before having his rune magic ran out. Up ahead was a rather large log which ran across a stream. Frodo crossed over to the other side where but the path was littered with spore puffing mushrooms. Frodo quickly timed his approach and whacked off each of the mushrooms heads. After a bit of walking Frodo encountered a couple of spiders and he pulled out his sling, armed himself with fire ammunition and proceeded to lob glowing balls of fire at the spiders. Next came a couple of Orcs and at this point Frodo decided to call out for Aragorn's help. Strider quickly dispatched the Orcs and that was the end of the Old Forest section of the demo. ::An hour or so passes:: Sorry, I collapsed into a heap and started weeping again. I sincerely hope this was some kind of joke, the only thing that keeps me from losing all sanity is that Ted said "The game feels a lot like a newer version of Zelda" (Zelda: Ocarina of Time) Zelda: OoT is one of the greatest games of all time, I guess a Zelda clone based on LOTR isn't the worst thing that could happen. But still... NOOOOO!!!!!!! [More]
5/15/01 - Latest News
Sierra to take E3 by storm!
DarthCaeser @ 8:54 pm EST
SIERRA TO TAKE ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (E3) BY STORM WITH ENTICING LINEUP Bellevue, WA (May 15, 2001) - Sierra On-Line announced today a varied and exciting lineup of titles to be showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, South Hall booth #1100 from May 17th - 19th. Sierra will present a slate of ten groundbreaking titles on the show floor and one game behind closed doors. The lineup includes both PC and next-generation console games. PC games include, Empire Earth(tm), Arcanum(tm), Throne of Darkness(tm), Half-Life(r): Blue Shift as well as games that fall under the recently-announced worldwide co-publishing agreement with Fox Interactive, "Our 2001 E3 line-up, more than ever before, reflects how we are continuing to raise the bar for cutting-edge action, role-playing and strategy games," commented Barbara Schwabe, vice-president of marketing for Sierra. "We've worked very hard to set the stage with our strategic move into the console arena and we're very pleased with the caliber of games we're bringing to SIERRA'S E3 TITLE LINEUP: ALIENS VS. PREDATOR 2: ARCANUM: OF STEAMWORKS AND MAGICK OBSCURA: DIE HARD: NAKATOMI PLAZA: EMPIRE EARTH: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING: HALF-LIFE: BLUE SHIFT: HALF-LIFE PLAYSTATION 2: JONNY DRAMA: NO ONE LIVES FOREVER: THRONE OF DARKNESS: TRIBES PLAYSTATION 2: ABOUT FOX INTERACTIVE ABOUT SIERRA ABOUT VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES *Fallout is a registered trademark of Interplay Productions and is not affiliated with this product.
Next-Generation Console Presence to Feature Award-Winning Games
Aliens vs. Predator(tm) 2, and Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza(tm). Next-generation console gamers will be treated to such award-winning franchises as Half-Life(r), Tribes(tm) and No One Lives Forever(tm) soon-to-be released on PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system. On the Xbox(tm) video game system, Microsoft's future-generation video game console will be Jonny Drama(tm), a completely original title developed exclusively for the platform. Finally, the newly announced game based on J.R.R. Tolkien's worldwide best-selling novel The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, will make its debut on the Xbox behind closed doors.
next-generation gamers everywhere."
This is the PC sequel to the most terrifying PC game of 1999. Based on the combination of the most highly successful sci-fi franchises in movie history, AVP 2 takes players to a world where species battle species in the ultimate game of survival. Aliens vs. Predator 2 is being developed by Monolith Productions on the PC.
Arcanum(tm): Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is a new PC role-playing game from Troika Games, founded by key members from the development team behind the award-winning role-playing game, Fallout(r)*. Named for the world it is set in, Arcanum opens in an age where magic and technology coexist in uneasy balance. An industrial revolution has swept across the fantasy realm of Arcanum, and players must choose their path - magic or technology - in their quest across the massive world.
Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza combines all the exciting elements of the original Die Hard movie in an action/adventure game set in the 3D environment of
Nakatomi Plaza. With 40 floors of new office space under construction, John McClane must navigate his way through terrorists, civilians and hostages to save himself and his wife from the terrorists who have this high rise of horror under siege. It is being developed by Pirhana Games for the PC.
Empire Earth is the debut title from Stainless Steel Studios, but not the first for company founder Rick Goodman, who was lead designer for the best-selling and critically acclaimed strategy game Age of Empires(r). In
Empire Earth, gamers attempt to dominate the Earth in land, sea, and air battles, while advancing their civilizations through over 500,000 years of "history," from the Paleolithic age to the 24th century. Empire Earth lets gamers carry out a night attack with a column of Patton's tanks, command French Grenadiers in the Napoleonic Wars, send Alexander the Great and an
army of phalanxes to raze a troublesome city-state, and much, much more.
In development by Seattle-based WXP, Inc., The Fellowship of the Ring will be released in early 2002 for the Xbox video game system. The Fellowship of
the Ring is a third-person action/adventure game set in the world of Middle-Earth. In the game, players take the persona of Frodo Baggins, an unassuming hobbit who has been unwittingly thrust into a battle between good
and evil. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have set the standard for fantasy writers and creators of epic worlds. The novels are massive best sellers, having sold close to 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into 26 different languages.
Blue Shift is an all-new single player episode surrounding the Black Mesa security guard introduced in Valve's classic action thriller, Half-Life. In development on PC by Gearbox Software, creators of the critically acclaimed Half-Life: Opposing Force(tm), Blue Shift also contains the Half-Life HD Pack, which automatically upgrades the weapons and characters of all the games in the Half-Life saga with new high definition content.
The best first-person shooter of all time comes to the PlayStation 2. Half-Life combines great storytelling with intense action and advanced technology to create the greatest action experience of all time. Originally
created for the PC by Valve, this legendary 3D action thriller is coming to PlayStation 2, developed by Gearbox Software. This time around, gamers will
get Half-Life's classic Deathmatch for 2-4 players and an exclusive, brand new cooperative campaign, Half-Life: Decay, to take on solo or with a friend.
As Jonny Drama, movie star turned secret agent, players must stop the evil Dr. Bumbershoot from executing his sinister plan to destroy the world. In true secret agent fashion, Jonny must use his arsenal of spy gadgets, disguises and vehicles to defeat his arch nemesis and discover the truth about his own forgotten past. Featuring a patent pending real-time animation
engine and proven gameplay features, Jonny Drama is sure to be a hit with Xbox gamers of all ages.
In development on PlayStation 2, this game will feature four new prequel levels highlighting beautiful Agent Cate Archer in her younger days as a thief. Recently, the PC game was honored as PC Game of the Year and PC
Action Game of the Year. No One Lives Forever is being developed by Monolith Productions and will debut on PlayStation 2 this year.
Japanese mythology and fast-paced multiplayer mayhem combine to make Throne of Darkness(tm) a must-have title for action-oriented role-playing fans.
This inaugural game from Click Entertainment, a group of 24 veteran game designers, takes the action/RPG model pioneered by Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo(r) game into a new direction with a unique storyline and ground-breaking multiplayer capability.
In development by Inevitable Entertainment, the highly anticipated Tribes 2(tm) PC game, sequel to the 1999 Online Game of the Year, is coming to the PlayStation 2. Unlike other shooters, Tribes for the PlayStation 2 brings true team multiplayer action to the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the first time, and delivers a 3D action experience that makes traditional action gaming seem stale and flat. Gamers will indulge in some of the most exciting gameplay available today, from firing up jetpacks to go vertical, engaging in aerial combat, jetting over massive canyons and daunting mountain ranges to deliver mayhem from above.
Recognized as an innovative industry leader, Fox Interactive, an operating unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a News Corporation company, is committed
to producing a full range of bold and engaging interactive entertainment. The company produces and co-publishes computer and video game software based
on Fox franchises as well as new and original properties. Fox Interactive games feature a number of the company's television and movie properties
including The Simpsons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Die Hard, and The X-Files. Original properties such as No One Lives Forever have garnered critical acclaim and received Game of the Year awards from enthusiasts' magazines worldwide.
Sierra On-Line, Inc. http://www.sierra.com, a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal Publishing and part of the Vivendi Universal Games division, is one of the original developers and largest worldwide publishers of
interactive entertainment and productivity software. Sierra is renowned for releasing critically acclaimed and award winning titles that represent a wide variety of computer entertainment on both next generation console and PC platforms.
Vivendi Universal Games (VUG) is a division of Vivendi Universal Publishing, a world leader in mass-market multimedia communications. A leading publisher of online, PC and console-based interactive content, VUG's
portfolio of entertainment software brands includes Blizzard Entertainment(r), Flipside.com(tm), Sierra(tm) and Universal Interactive Studios. Games are one of parent company Vivendi Universal's key content areas, along with movies, music and other publishing activities. Vivendi Universal aims to be the world's preferred creator and provider of personalized information, entertainment and services to consumers everywhere, and across all distribution platforms.
Aliens vs. Predator 2, Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza and No One Lives Forever are trademarks of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Xbox, Microsoft, and Age of Empires are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. The Lord of the Rings and the characters and places therein are trademarks of Tolkien Enterprises, Berkeley CA
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5/10/01 - Latest News
Sierra on the Tolkien license
DarthCaeser @ 1:01 pm EST
I was thinking about the big announcement Sierra made about getting the license and showing footage at E3 and such when it hit me, Sierra already had the Tolkien license. Was the license taken away and they negotiated to get it back? I asked Sierra what happened to the Tolkien license which they had before the big lawsuit with Tolkien Enterprises. Here's what they had to say: "We have been in negotiations with Tolkien Enterprises to clarify and amend the agreement we signed several years ago."
GAMING: LOTR and EA?
Xoanon @ 1:29 am EST
Ringer Spy Fing sends along word that while New Line and Sierra have made nice, they're still looking elsewhere to promote LOTR for our PC's and consoles. Just wanted to let you know that I have an article here from Video Business magazine that is another reference to the Vviendi and Sierra Middle Earth licensing affair. Here's just a few of the lines that are kind of relevant to what we are all interested in.
"A spokesman for New Line Cinema said the Vivendi deal would have "no impact" on the separate videogame licensing of The Lord of the Rings movies... Negotiations are continuing between New Line and Electronic Arts for those game rights."
A few paragraphs later...
"A Sierra spokesman said that any previous games, including the multiplayer online game Middle Earth, have been canceled, and the new deal starts the relationship from scratch."
Video Business, May 7th edition.
Dunno if that is very newsworthy to ya or not but there ya have it!
-Fing