Electronic Arts Inc. announced that THE LORD OF THE RINGS: TACTICS, exclusively for the PSP, has shipped and that Hugo Weaving will lend his voice to THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: TACTICS is EAs first title to incorporate EAs exclusive rights to develop videogames based on J.R.R. Tolkiens epic literary fiction novels. Previous titles are based solely on content from New Line Cinemas critically acclaimed THE LORD OF THE RINGS film trilogy. Fans will now be able to step into a world that looks like the films, but experience characters, environments and battles that are inspired by the books.
The tactical RPG game features a rich system of items, upgrades and skills for players to customize their heroes. Players can seize high ground, set ambushes and strategically trap enemies while fighting battles across famous locations from the books and films to determine the future of Middle-earth. Playing the Fellowship enables players to guard their heroes, which include Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Frodo, Gandalf and Sam. In contrast, dark side characters include Lurtz, the Witch-King, Sauron, Saruman, Grima and Gothmog. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: TACTICS also will feature a multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to play their customized heroes against one another via WiFi.
Also for THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II, concept artist John Howe of film trilogy is on board to design entirely new creatures and locations of Middle-earth.
We are delighted to have Hugo Weaving as the voice of BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II, said Mike Verdu, exec producer at EALA. Mr. Weaving was brilliantly cast as the great Elven leader Elrond in the film trilogy and now his voice will help bring the game story and the world of Middle-earth to life for everyone who plays BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II. I am also very excited to be working with John Howe who will help us visualize key creatures within the game!
Weaving was happy to reprise the role of Elrond. During his voiceover session he noted, Generally with LORD OF THE RINGS, no one ever really says goodbye to it because it seems that you were always coming back. I always find voice work really fascinating because you are working on one element of your make up as an actor focusing more intently on one part of your toolbox if you like in a way so everything seems to go into producing that vocal effect. It really isnt just an effect, because it actually comes from a source which is a true continuation of that character.
As the voice of THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II, Weaving will create the games overarching tone by guiding players in and out of each good and evil mission within the single player campaigns. Additionally, this real time strategy title will feature character likenesses of Lord Elrond, reprising his role and fighting battles never before seen in the movies.
Developed at the EA Los Angeles studio, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II is the sequel to the critically acclaimed realtime strategy (RTS) game, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH. Expanding on the original, the newest PC title will introduce players to depths of the fiction never before explored by EA.
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS, EA, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO. In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. More information can be found at info.ea.com.
Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is one of the most successful independent film companies in the world. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. New Line is a division of Time Warner Inc.
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