Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age
Description: *56K Warning* Added Trailers/footage
Description: *56K Warning* Added Trailers/footage
Shadow Knight - May 2, 2004 05:16 AM (GMT)
The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age is one EA's Two new games based on Tolkiens world.
The Third Age is an RPG based on the films, as Vivendi hold the rights to the books, which in my eyes would make a better RPG.
The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age videogame allows players to adventure through Middle-earth, building a party of heroes as they journey, and will be based on the movies. Players battle on the side of the Fellowship, but can unlock additional encounters where they fight on the side of Sauron as they progress.
In the game, players will interact with the characters of the Fellowship in a unique structure, taking on individual quests while intersecting the major events of the film trilogy that drive the story forward. Parties will traverse through both familiar and seldom-glimpsed locations, using an innovative turn-based battle system as they fight, encountering the demonic Balrog in the Mines of Moria, defending the fallen city of Osgiliath, or trying to destroy Helm’s Deep.
The Lord the Rings, The Third Age, is being developed by EA’s Redwood Shores studio, the same studio that developed the hit The Lord of the Rings; The Return of the King game. The Game Boy Advance version is being developed by Amaze Entertainment
An interview was recently held with Steve Grey (executive producer on the title)
The Third Age is an RPG based on the films, as Vivendi hold the rights to the books, which in my eyes would make a better RPG.
The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age videogame allows players to adventure through Middle-earth, building a party of heroes as they journey, and will be based on the movies. Players battle on the side of the Fellowship, but can unlock additional encounters where they fight on the side of Sauron as they progress.
In the game, players will interact with the characters of the Fellowship in a unique structure, taking on individual quests while intersecting the major events of the film trilogy that drive the story forward. Parties will traverse through both familiar and seldom-glimpsed locations, using an innovative turn-based battle system as they fight, encountering the demonic Balrog in the Mines of Moria, defending the fallen city of Osgiliath, or trying to destroy Helm’s Deep.
The Lord the Rings, The Third Age, is being developed by EA’s Redwood Shores studio, the same studio that developed the hit The Lord of the Rings; The Return of the King game. The Game Boy Advance version is being developed by Amaze Entertainment
An interview was recently held with Steve Grey (executive producer on the title)
| QUOTE |
| Q: How long has The Third Age been in development? At what point during the movie trilogy's making did the idea for a Lord of the Rings movie-based RPG first come up? We've been thinking about building an RPG for Lord of the Rings since we got the license. Honestly, I've been thinking about building a Lord of the Rings RPG for at least 10 years, I was just waiting for a chance to do it. Q: What's the game's plot, without giving away too much? How much of the trilogy (during, before, and after) is covered by the game? We cover locations and story points from all three movies. Some of the highlights in the story are Khazad Dum, Helm's Deep, Osgiliath, and Minas Tirith. Q: If players already know how the trilogy turns out, how do you keep things interesting? Can events you saw in the film go differently in the game timeline? You are playing as Player-created characters who need to find their way through Middle-earth and participate in the story in interesting and deeply meaningful ways. The Player will build and experience a story wrapped around the thrilling events of Peter Jackson's films. Like any game, you can influence the events -- it wouldn't be very much fun if you always win! Q: For Tolkien fans, a title like The Third Age implies a lot. How much license do you have to pick up where Return of the King left off? Can or do you use any of Tolkien's non-trilogy notes or writings? Our game revolves around events -- both major and minor -- depicted in all three films. We are working closely with New Line Cinema to delve deeper into the events of the films. Q: How does the "branching" work for light and shadow -- will you be playing in different areas, or playing the same areas in different ways? As you play through the game you'll have the opportunity to experience turn-based RPG style combat from both sides. The story remains fundamentally the same, but you can win individual encounters as either good or evil. Q: What scenes will "intersect" the game's plot from the movie? What kind of areas can we expect that weren't in the film? Can you give a rough percentage breakdown of "non-movie areas" vs. "movie areas"? You will definitely experience the pivotal moments from the films -- two good examples are the fight with the Balrog in Khazad Dum, and the encounter between Eowyn, Merry, and the Witch King on the Pelennor Fields. Q: We understand you play as one principal character that you generate -- is this correct? What kind of character creation options (both visual and "stat sheet"-style) will you have? Are there any "classes" to choose? You will be able to configure, manage, develop skills, and equip items on your entire party. You will acquire more party members during the course of the game. There will be both good and evil parties. Q: Can you explain some of your character development options; i.e. your leveling-up system, and what kind of skills your character(s) will acquire? The questing, skill and inventory system will be familiar to anyone who has played RPGs in the past -- with some cool innovations of our own! Q: Can you explain the turn-based combat system for us? The turn-based combat system will also be familiar to RPG Players. However just like the quests, skills, and inventory, there will be some key innovations that will attract players to the game. Q: Is the rules system based on an existing one (like D&D or White Wolf, for example), or is it custom-made? The game is based on our own mechanics. Q: Do you see this game as more for hardcore Final Fantasy-style RPG gamers, or as something more accessible to a wider audience? The films themselves are so accessible we believe that a wider audience will find our game compelling. There will be enough deep content and complexity to the game systems that core RPG Players will definitely not be disappointed -- however we will make sure to ramp the experience so that more casual Players will be able to find their way into the experience. Q: How many hours do you anticipate it will it take to beat the game? Any replay incentives? Too early to comment on that. However just the fact that you can play good and evil implies a lot of replay value. Q: Are there any online components? Right now we aren't planning to support online. We're still looking into the possibility however. Q: How long can a licensed property continue to be successful once the series is "over"? Are there any other LOTR games in the works (another "hack and slash" like Two Towers or ROTK?) We have an outstanding RTS game called The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth in development for the PC. It's scheduled for release this fall and it looks fantastic. Q: Is Peter Jackson or any of the film cast or crew directly involved with The Third Age? Is anyone recording new voice-over? We're using voiceover from the film actors as well as motion capture data from the stunt doubles used in the films for our fighting animations. As with our previous The Lord of the Rings games, there's a strong partnership with New Line so that we start with the same 'blueprint' of Middle-earth from an asset standpoint. Q: What's your take on the current RPG market? Did Knights of the Old Republic's success change anything? Did you learn anything from that particular game? I believe the RPG market is very strong and growing. I also believe that Lord of the Rings is the quintessential RPG story. It's a perfect fit. Q: Are there any role-playing cliches you're actively trying to avoid? Do you have any innovations or new ideas you're introducing that you're particularly fond of? We have some really cool innovations to the skill tree and combat systems. I think players will be really jazzed when they get their hands on this game. Q: What games have you previously worked on, and in what role? I've worked on the two currently released Electronic Arts Lord of the Rings games: The Two Towers and The Return of the King. I also directed one of Square's RPGs -- Parasite Eve -- and was involved with the Final Fantasy series. |
I don't like the sound of a customisable character i think you should choose one member of the Fellowship/ Black Army and play from when they are introduced.
On a good note the graphics look amazing, especially the Balrog.
MrRae - May 2, 2004 07:54 AM (GMT)
Well, isn't that what you just do in the other LOTR games? Play as one of the characters in the movies?
I think having your own fellow tromping around middle-earth sounds great :D
I think having your own fellow tromping around middle-earth sounds great :D
Shadow Knight - May 2, 2004 09:00 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Araenel @ May 2 2004, 05:54 PM) |
| Well, isn't that what you just do in the other LOTR games? Play as one of the characters in the movies? |
In ways yes but not in so much where you had quests and NPC's and all those other RPG features.
Don't get me wrong i think a customisable charcter is a good idea it's just it might stuff the story up. They shouldn't make it based on the fellowships quest (i'm talking about the parts in FotR)
They could make it a warrior who travels 'round Middle-Earth helping fight the good fight.
MrRae - May 2, 2004 03:50 PM (GMT)
Another angle they could've taken would be to just make it in the fourth age. Use some artistic licence to think of a new story in Middle-Earth, after the events of LOTR...
darklord - May 2, 2004 07:40 PM (GMT)
wow that looks really good!
I dont like turn-based combat system(other than kotor but thats hardly turn base) but its LotR so ill be checking into it, if its good, ill try and buy it.
IMHO, i think they should make a game called "LotR: journey of the ring" or something like that, where it goes though both the hobbit, then changes to LotR, so it feels like 2 games in one but really, its just following the ring.
I dont like turn-based combat system(other than kotor but thats hardly turn base) but its LotR so ill be checking into it, if its good, ill try and buy it.
IMHO, i think they should make a game called "LotR: journey of the ring" or something like that, where it goes though both the hobbit, then changes to LotR, so it feels like 2 games in one but really, its just following the ring.
__________ - May 2, 2004 07:52 PM (GMT)
this has the potential to be a great game, but is it being made by EA.
customisable characters? wouldnt that screw with the story?.
it will be interesting to see how this works.
customisable characters? wouldnt that screw with the story?.
it will be interesting to see how this works.
Pauly - May 3, 2004 07:18 AM (GMT)
Could be great but EA are known for ruining games so I'll remain a little skepticle for now. And having customisable characters is a good idea. It's half to point of an RPG game anyway. This could screw with the story which is why I don't think they should base it around the main story.
Shadow Knight - May 14, 2004 05:32 AM (GMT)
I didn't post al of the pics and some other pics have been released at E3 so here are piucs that haven't been posted here.
E3 2004 pics:
Other pics:
This bit is a tad interesting,
"The epic quest, in which players will take on the roles of new characters choosing their own path through Middle-earth while interacting with the heroes and villains of the trilogy..."
Choosing your own path is a pretty good option, it also looks like your whole party will be customisable. Here's hoping.
E3 2004 pics:
Other pics:
This bit is a tad interesting,
"The epic quest, in which players will take on the roles of new characters choosing their own path through Middle-earth while interacting with the heroes and villains of the trilogy..."
Choosing your own path is a pretty good option, it also looks like your whole party will be customisable. Here's hoping.
Manny M - May 14, 2004 06:03 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Pãúlÿ @ May 3 2004, 05:18 PM) |
| Could be great but EA are known for ruining games so I'll remain a little skepticle for now. |
Bit of a narrow minded comment there.
EA bring out a ton more games than any other developer, so it's only natural that they have a larger amount of "crappy" games.
Saying that they ruin a game is just folly, as they've released countless number of awesome titles, and they give the little guys a chance to get into the big time.
Shadow Knight - May 27, 2004 12:58 AM (GMT)
The Lord of the Rings: The Thrird Age trailer
There is the trailer, the game is looking awesome. All we need to hope for is it to play well.
There is the trailer, the game is looking awesome. All we need to hope for is it to play well.
MrRae - May 27, 2004 09:48 AM (GMT)
*watches trailer*
omg, it's like FF combat in lotr-world. Could this game be any better? :P
*ahem*
yeh looks pretty nice, although it's story will probably make a mockery of the original trilogy :P
omg, it's like FF combat in lotr-world. Could this game be any better? :P
*ahem*
yeh looks pretty nice, although it's story will probably make a mockery of the original trilogy :P
The ghost who walks - May 27, 2004 10:51 AM (GMT)
that looks awesome! especially since i love turn based combat :D
Hello - May 27, 2004 09:45 PM (GMT)
Lord of the Rings blows! And so will this game!
Shadow Knight - May 27, 2004 10:11 PM (GMT)
Keep your forked tongue inside your mouth, hello! :P
Manny M - May 27, 2004 11:49 PM (GMT)
I wasn't too impressed with the trailer.
Sure it looked decent, but felt stale with no character....one thing FF games have got going for them is character.
Sure it looked decent, but felt stale with no character....one thing FF games have got going for them is character.
The ghost who walks - May 28, 2004 12:37 PM (GMT)
yeah, i guess you can't really make an amazing back story for the character if they're customizable :(, and since we all know the LOTR story they can't exactly wow us with an amazing original story line either :(, so this game better have damned good gameplay :P...
Shadow Knight - July 23, 2004 12:58 PM (GMT)
The Third Age Gameplay footage
Some interesting gameplay footage. While most of it has been shown in trailers, it's still a bit of a good watch.
Some interesting gameplay footage. While most of it has been shown in trailers, it's still a bit of a good watch.
Shadow Knight - July 24, 2004 11:14 AM (GMT)
There is going to be a series for The Third Age like "Inside the Battle" that was for Battle for Middle Earth. These videos let you have a look at some of the things they are doing with the game. the Third Age's series is called "A Designers Tale" The first look in it is designing the balrog.
A Designers Tale I (The Balrog)
A Designers Tale I (The Balrog)
Shadow Knight - August 31, 2004 05:51 AM (GMT)
Volume 2 of "A Designer's Tale" has been released.
A Designer's Tale II (From Silence to Cinematics)
A Designer's Tale II (From Silence to Cinematics)