3/21/01 - Latest News

Decipher and LOTR
Xoanon @ 9:46 am EST

DECIPHER TAKES ANOTHER KEY LICENSE FOR LORD OF THE RINGS PROPERTY

Company is Granted the Rights to Produce Roleplaying Games

(Las Vegas, Nev., March 20, 2001) - Decipher Inc. announces today it has captured another of the key licenses for this year's coveted Lord of the Rings property, adding the license for role playing games (RPG) to the previously-announced trading card game (TCG) and digital playing card licenses.

The RPG license has been granted to Decipher by New Line Cinema - producers of the screen adaptation of the fantasy epic by J.R.R. Tolkien - delivering the rights to all three motion pictures - The Fellowship of the Ring (December 19, 2001), The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003) - and by Tolkien Enterprises for The Lord of the Rings literary trilogy.

The licensing agreements for the RPG, as well as for the trading card game, exist through 2006, with renewal rights for an additional five years.

"With the addition of the RPG license, 2001 is really shaping up to be a Lord of the Rings year for Decipher. Not only will we be developing an incredible trading card game, we now have the rights to produce an RPG around a property that created the entire fantasy genre. This is an opportunity of a lifetime," said Decipher CEO Warren Holland.

Plans call for the Lord of the Rings® Roleplaying Game to launch before the end of the year.

Founded in 1967, New Line Cinema is the entertainment industry's leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical motion pictures. New Line licenses its films to ancillary markets including cable and broadcast television as well as to international venues. The company, which is a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc., operates several divisions including in-house theatrical distribution, marketing, home video, television, acquisitions, production, licensing and merchandising units.

Founded in 1983, Decipher Inc. is a worldwide leader in the collectible/trading card game industry. Decipher is dedicated to The Art of Great Games® The company's product lines include the Star Trek™ Customizable Card Game, Star Wars™ Customizable Card Game, Young Jedi™ Collectible Card Game and Jedi Knights™ Trading Card Game and more. In addition, Decipher's Specialty Products Group produces leading games such as How To Host A Murder®, How To Host A Teen Mystery™, Boy Crazy!™, Girl Power!™, Pente®, Scratchees™ and more. Visit www.decipher.com for additional product and tournament information, news, contests and interactive features.