Warner to release Lord of the Rings games across multiple genres

Warner Bros has announced that The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest will be the first in a series of games based on the Tolkien license.

As part of the franchise, Warner will publish multiple games across many genres designed to appeal to a wide range of gamers, and promises something for both hard-core RPG fans and their families.

"The Lord of the Rings franchise is world renowned for its captivating adventures, and we are creating new experiences in the game space designed to appeal to a wide array of consumer tastes from core to casual,” said Warner president Martin Tremblay.

"The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest is the first of many different types of games we will be developing with the film and literary rights."

In Aragorn's Quest, players can choose between various weapons, battle on horseback, and play co-op as Gandalf.

Hopefully this sort of thing will be implemented for adults as well.

We are crossing our fingers now.

Press release after the break.

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES A GAME FRANCHISE BASED ON THE LORD OF THE RINGS LITERARY AND FILM LIBRARY AND FIRST FRANCHISE TITLE "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: ARAGORN'S QUEST"

FRANCHISE PLANS INCLUDE GAMES ACROSS MULTIPLE GENRES AND PLATFORMS

London – May 28, 2009 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced a long-term partnership with The Saul Zaentz Company and New Line Productions, Inc. for literary and film rights to develop and publish games based on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. As part of the game franchise, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will publish multiple games across many genres designed to appeal to a wide range of unique gamers, including hard-core RPG fans and families. The first game will be The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, a new third-person action adventure videogame offering an authentic gameplay experience based on The Lord of the Rings that all ages can play together on Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in Autumn 2009.

“The Lord of the Rings franchise is world renowned for its captivating adventures, and we are creating new experiences in the game space designed to appeal to a wide array of consumer tastes from core to casual,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest is the first of many different types of games we will be developing with the film and literary rights. It is also the first game allowing kids and their families to interact in their favourite locations and stories from The Lord of the Rings with accessible gameplay.”

“We are looking forward to continuing The Lord of the Rings’ amazing legacy with new videogames that capture and expand upon elements from the trilogy,” said Fredrica Drotos, Business Affairs, The Saul Zaentz Company. “The first title with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, is set in a colourful, action-filled rendition of Middle-earth that will appeal to new and dedicated fans.”

In The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, preparations are underway in Hobbiton for a great party to welcome Aragorn, King of Gondor, and honour Samwise Gamgee for his service during the War of the Ring. The children of the town are eager to learn more of this great man and so Samwise, now Mayor, embarks on a tale of the revered warrior, Strider—as Aragorn is known in his Ranger days - and his most valiant battles. Players assume the role of Aragorn and embark on his greatest quests from The Lord of the Rings trilogy as they wield his sword, bow or spear on foot and on horseback through an action-packed gameplay experience. On the Wii platform, two-player co-op gameplay featuring Gandalf will allow kids, families and friends to work together in the heart of the action.

The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest is being developed for Wii™ by Headstrong Games and for Nintendo DS™, PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system by TT Fusion.

For more information visit www.aragornsquest.com.