Turbine to Extend LotRO Into 2014; Possibly 2017
By Stephany on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at 11:40 AM PST In Computer, Game Companies, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Games, Games Industry, Lord of the Rings
Good news for players of LotRO: Shadows of Angmar – Turbine announced today that because the game has been so successful, an agreement with Tolkien Enterprises to continue the development of LotRO based MMORPGs has been extended to 2014. This extension could also include Turbine’s “possible” plans for an MMORPG based on The Hobbit, and additional rights to both titles could even extend into 2017.
This is good news indeed, because to be honest, I am loving LotRO and unless I get tired of the constant Bear, Boar, Spider and Wolf attacks, I will be more than happy to continue playing the game for the next 6-9 years – and if you want to make fun of me go right ahead because it is no different than WoW players happily plodding away at their respective keyboards. Except, I know my limitations – trust me, staying up to the wee hours on quest grinds is all fine and dandy, but one of my favorite things to do is sleep. So do not expect me to collapse head first onto my keyboard any time soon.
Delivering an interactive experience that is filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from one of the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time and with Book 12 now available, players can experience the world of Middle-Earth in the most fun and exciting way possible. With the news of this new agreement, it looks like the possibilities for the development of Tolkien’s world are endless. I bet he is looking down on Turbine right now and smiling.
Via: Press Release
WESTWOOD, MA – February 20, 2008 – Turbine, Inc. announced today that in the wake of the global success of The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™, named the 2007 PC Game of the Year*, it has reached an agreement with Tolkien Enterprises to extend it’s license to develop Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPG) based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien to 2014 with additional options to extend the rights until 2017.
“We’re thrilled with the global success of The Lord of the Rings Online since its launch in 2007,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “With the recent announcement of what are sure to be two blockbuster films based on The Hobbit and a sequel, we expect the success of the license and our relationship with Tolkien Enterprises to grow for years to come.”
“We have had a wonderful working relationship with Turbine over the past several years,” said Albert M. Bendich, Executive Vice President of The Saul Zaentz Company, and its merchandising division Tolkien Enterprises. “We look forward to our continuing success with Turbine as it pushes the envelope for compelling online entertainment and gameplay to bring the compelling characters of Middle-earth to life for Tolkien fans around the world.”
The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online is available in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. For more information, please visit www.lotro.com.
Sweet.
What’s that about “Turbines plans for an MMORPG based on The Hobbit”? Is that an expansion on LOTRO, or a whole separate game…?
The press release “hints” at a possible Hobbit MMOPRG the way it is worded. However, this could also just mean that basically Turbine bought the rights to a hypothetical Hobbit MMORPG so that no one else could develop one.
The actual wording of the Press Release states:
“….. it has reached an agreement with Tolkien Enterprises to extend it’s license to develop Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPG) based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien to 2014 with additional options to extend the rights until 2017.”
Basically “to develop MMORPG games based on The Hobbit and LotR” sounds like they are planning one the way it is worded – but like I said, it could just be that they own the rights and that is all. I went back in and inserted a couple more words in the post to help avoid future confusion. Sorry if I gave you false hope (or false chagrin) on this. Hopefully no one else got the wrong idea either.
Hopefully we will get confirmation from Turbine one way or the other in the very near future.
Actually,
I think they already had the rights to both “The Hobbit” and Lord of the Rings… the’ve just renewed them both, as they were set to expire (i think) in 2009. I would hope that the Hobbit storylines would be woven into LOTRO, rather than trying to cash in on a separate game.