Now we know why EA is asking everybody about what they want from a video game console...

As you all know, The Lord of the Rings series of video games on consoles is being handled by Electronic Arts (EA). If you happen to like those games, you might be delighted to know that the publisher just signed a new license with the film company New Line Cinema, thereby assuring the extension of the partnership.

EA's Executive VP and general manager of North American publishing Frank Gibeau is quite excited as he quipped, "The Lord of the Rings is an incredible canvas to create epic games. We look forward to our next project with New Line Cinema and Tolkien Enterprises scheduled to ship in 2008."

Furthermore, EA slipped in an exciting development saying that an all new LOTR title is coming up. The publisher wouldn't divulge any information on what platform it will be released on (or platforms, for that matter), or when the new title will be released. "We have a long history of making great games with EA and are thrilled to extend our longstanding relationship," remarked David Imhoff, New Line's Senior Exec. VP of Worldwide Licensing and Merchandising.

The list of current LOTR video games from EA includes:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth II (PC, 360)
• The Lord of the Rings: The White Council (360, PS3)
• The Lord of the Rings: Tactics (PSP)

It seems like the battle for the one ring to rule them all has been waged in every genre short of a dating sim, but the list of venues for epic Tolkien-esque battles expands by one today with the release of Electronic Arts' turn-based strategy game for the PSP, The Lord of the Rings: Tactics.

In the game, players take command of either the heroic Fellowship (Frodo, Aragorn, and the rest) or the assorted forces of Mordor (Sauron, Saruman, Grima) and play through the by-now-quite-familiar story of Frodo's quest to destroy the one ring, and Sauron's quest to reclaim it.

Whichever side they choose, players can customize their forces with new items, upgrades, and skills that will give them the advantage in battle. Of course, given the name of the game, players will also have to use sound tactics to see their way to victory, grabbing the high ground when possible, setting ambushes, and using strategy to trap their enemies. Players can even take their customized forces and hard-earned lessons of battle and test them against their friends with the game's multiplayer mode for up to four players.

Whereas previous EA Lord of the Rings games were based solely on Peter Jackson's film trilogy, Tactics is the first game to make use of the company's newly-acquired literary rights to the J.R.R.Tolkien trilogy of books that was the basis of the films. This lets the developers use the character likenesses and monster designs from the films, but also allows them to incorporate the numerous settings, creatures, and characters from the books that never made it into the movies.

Source: IGN

Here are some new screenshots of The Lord of the Rings Tactics:

  
  
  
  

Source: GameSpot, GameTrailers

Here are some new screenshots of Lord of the Rings: Tactics.

  
  
 

You can get the video trailer from our PSP file section [here].

The Lord of the Rings Tactics for the PSP puts players in the universe of Middle-earth and allows them to lead the Fellowship or take control of the forces of Shadow.

   

The tactical strategy game features player-customized characters and a rich system of items, upgrades and skills. Players can guard their heroes, seize high ground, set ambushes and trap enemies while fighting battles across famous locations of the books and films to determine the future of Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings Tactics will allow them to pit their customized heroes and battle in four players encounters via a wireless connection. A unique, simultaneous turn-taking system allows for fast-paced play.

Here are some new screenshots from The Lord of the Rings Tactics:

  
  

source: IGN


Soon after the official announcement that there is in fact a Lord of the Rings Tactics, EA has graced everyone with the first screenshots.

source: gamespot

Previously we reported about the upcoming Lord of the Rings: Tactics, and now EA has made it official that they are in fact working on the project.

“The Lord of the Rings Tactics will be a hybrid of role-playing game and "tactical strategy game" in the mould of the company's popular multiplatform RPG, The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age. Though vague on story details, EA's announcement did say that Tactics would allow players to be both on the side of good or help the dark lord Sauron hunt down the Fellowship of the Ring.

Details about Tactics' gameplay were also scant, although EA said it would let players "guard their heroes, seize high ground, set ambushes and trap enemies while fighting battles across famous locations of the books and films to determine the future of Middle-earth." The game will also sport a "unique, simultaneous turn-taking system [which] allows for fast-paced play" and feature up to four-player multiplayer action via the PSP's WiFi capabilities.”

Read the full story [here].

Source: Gamesradar.com

Electronic Arts' fantasy series takes a tactical path to handheld

The quest, the trilogy and the marketing hype may finally be over but JRR just keeps on Tolkien with the announcement of PSP title Lord of the Rings Tactics.We've managed to get our hands on the Sony-only handheld game already and found that with its legions of battles it felt much like Square's Final Fantasy Tactics, but with a WiFi multiplayer element.

It also offers you the chance to play on the side of good, with the friendly Fellowship, or to edge towards the dark side and take command of Sauron's orc and troll troops.

And just to even things up, EA has added a brand new ending to allow the forces of evil to finally triumph over the puny humans.

Lord of the Rings Tactics will appear on PSP towards the end of the year

source: Kotaku


According to Kotaku.com, a little mole whispered to them some details about the mysterious Lord of the Rings: Tactics game supposedly due in November. We cannot confirm whether this source is credible or not but here?s what he had to say:

?The mole says the game looks to be a solid entry into the RPG strategy genre, with at least one cool twist: A unique take on multiplay.

The game?s multiplayer mode uses a system that allows for simultaneous turn-taking by separating movements from attacks. Everyone moves first and then everyone attacks. Or so they say.?

This sounds like it will turn out to be a very interesting and fun strategy game so far, we will keep you informed of any more details we come across.