Jeff Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Turbine Inc., told SCI FI Wire that Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that takes its cues directly from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, but that also expands on them. “[We] took a lead from the master [and] focused [the game] on the first book [in the trilogy] and covered the storyline as Frodo and Sam leave the Shire and start moving towards … Rivendell,” Anderson said in an interview at the New York Comic Con over the weekend. “Post-launch we are going to tell more of the story as the fellowship leaves that area and goes forth … all the way to Mount Doom.”
The main storyline of the game covers many of the same events as the first book of Tolkien’s trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, Anderson said. “Everything from Gandalf being captured … [to] Strider meeting up with the fellowship at The Prancing Pony [to] the fight on Weathertop,” he said. “We’ve got all those moments in the game, and we communicate that through a variety of different mechanics: through text, through voice-over, through game cinematics. Those all make sure that the player is aware of where the story is.” [More]
Jean, director of the Tolkien Track at Dragon*Con writes: I wanted to let you know that we are already revving up for this year’s Dragon*Con this fall. Our site has been updated and we are anxiously awaiting word from Dragon*Con on our guests for this year. For more information, check out this website or contact tolkientrack@gmail.com
Ian Collier from The Tolkien Society writes: Are you a dad, mum, grandparent, uncle, aunt with an interest in Tolkien? Are you a young person with an interest in Tolkien? Then Reading Day is designed for YOU
Tolkien Reading Day encourages the use of Tolkien’s works in education and library reading groups, as this year’s day falls on a Sunday the emphasis is on families reading together.
A chance for grownups and children to read together and share their thoughts about whatever stories by Tolkien they have read and to discover new ones. J.R.R. Tolkien’s books appeal to all ages and readers worldwide find pleasure, entertainment and deep significance in his work.
Information packs are available online and in hard copy
For children and adults reading together is fun, and stimulates good conversation, vocabulary development, an interest in history and for some an interest in linguistics. 25th March has significance to Tolkien’s readers, as it is the day of the Downfall of Sauron at the conclusion of the ‘War of the Ring’ in “The Lord of the Rings.” There’s more to Tolkien than “The Lord of the Rings” though. Families and reading groups can enjoy the story of the dog “Roverandom” and his adventures on the moon or the mock-medieval rebellion of “Farmer Giles of Ham” complete with giants and dragons.
Members of the public (or libraries and schools wishing to hold an event near to rather than on the 25th) can contact the Society for free posters and help with publicising their event.
Ideas for exploring Tolkien’s books together are available online and in hard copy
e-mail us at education@tolkiensociety.org or write to:
The Tolkien Society Education Officer, 18 Magnolia Road, Bitterne,
Southampton, SO 19 7LH
Launched in 2003 the reading day event has sparked interest in reading and reading groups across several nations and ages from Primary schoolchildren to University students and library users of all ages. Hence the circulation of this release to the media, educational press and county library services.
A ton of interesting new films are out on DVD this week. Take an early look on our ‘DVD Tuesday’ feature…every Monday! Some very cool TV on DVD like ‘The Brady Bunch – S4 & 5’, ‘Captain N The Game Master’ & ‘Da Vinci’s Inquest – S1’. The big releases of the week are ‘A Good Year’ & ‘Stranger Than Fiction’. Personally I’m interested in ‘Great Cars Collection’ & ‘George Carlin: Life Is Worth Losing’! Check out the whole list here! [More]
Veteran actor Ian McKellen’s much anticipated first turn in the lead role in Shakespeare’s King Lear is set to reach Australia this year. Among his generation’s greatest actors, McKellen has been confirmed to lead the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company in productions of the theatre classics King Lear and Chekhov’s The Seagull for a limited 10-performance run at the Arts Centre in Melbourne from July 28. The tour will reunite McKellen with director Trevor Nunn for the first time in 17 years. [More]
