Robert Purchese writes: The Lord of the Rings Online may never get another proper expansion pack, producer Aaron Campbell has told Eurogamer – the free-to-play relaunch has taught Turbine “a lot” about “pacing” of updates. But don’t worry – next year’s trip to Isengard will be just as good. “Expansions classically have a few things tied to them,” Campbell educated. “They have something along the lines of a new system; they typically have a level cap tied to them; and they have some epic piece of content or arc to hang their hat on – an important place in the world that people want to go to. More..

Looking for a great read? Check out ‘The Saga of King Heidrek the Wise‘ edited by Christopher Tolkien, exclusively available as a print on demand title from the official Tolkien bookstore www.tolkien.co.uk:

A fiftieth anniversary reissue of Christopher Tolkien’s masterly translation of the Icelandic Heidrek’s Saga, including the dramatic Battle of the Goths and the Huns, the lyrical Waking of Angantyr, and the unique riddle-contest between King Heidrek and the god Odin.

This print on demand title is also available to US Customers. [Place your Order]

The Games blog caught up with Mr Gollum himself to discuss the role of Monkey and his passion for performance capture. Andy Serkis as Monkey in Enslaved Andy Serkis as Monkey in Enslaved Since his breakthrough digital role as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Andy Serkis has become the film industry’s go-to thespian on all things digital. And after he won games critics’ hearts (if not, perhaps, consumers) with his contribution to last month’s Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, we thought we’d find out a bit more about what tempts a high-profile actor to spend hours wearing only a skintight black bodysuit covered in Pritt Stick and ping-pong balls. More..

Did you ever want to ask a troublesome Tolkien question? Just who the heck is Tom Bombadil, anyway? Does the Ring think for itself? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

TheOneRing.net’s Reading Room is intended to be a forum for critical analysis and on-topic discussion of Tolkien’s literary works. Reading Room features include ongoing discussions of Tolkien-related books and topics, where volunteers lead ‘formal’ discussions, as well as posts of general interest you can make at any time!

So please feel welcome, don’t be shy (we don’t bite!) and jump right in! The Reading Room is open to all. [Reading Room]

Compose an “Ode to Harry Potter.” Dash off the “The Ballad of Gary Gygax.” Or perhaps a “World of Warcraft War Chant” speaks more to the muse of your geekery?

Now is the time when geek pride meets the poetic. We’re hoping you’ll dust off your quill pens to jot down a geek-themed poem and post it on Geek Mom. If we choose your poem (there will be five winners), you’ll get an autographed, personalized copy of Ethan Gilsdorf’s road trip through geek subcultures, Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms, now in paperback.

Among other things, Ethan also a poet. So Geek Mom thought it’d be cool to ask you to offer a verse or two. Be it free verse, a limerick, a sonnet, a haiku, or a villanelle or rap — no matter, as long as it speaks of geekdom, pick the subject that will bring out your best. (No need to rhyme, either.) Just enter your literary masterpieces in the comments section below this Q&A with the author. Geek Mom will choose the best five entries by Friday 11/19/10! Good luck, godspeed and geek on!