Ostadan writes: Fantasy Flight Games, who have been the US publisher of Reiner Knizia’s cooperative Lord of the Rings boardgame for several years now, have announced a new edition of the game in their ‘Silver Line’ format. It features newer (smaller) redesigned game components and a new rulebook, apparently retaining the original game play but more clearly written. They have not announced compatible editions of the expansions that have been published for the original game. The original game has been out of print for a while, and I must say that the new graphics (still featuring John Howe’s artwork) look very good. Note that you can download the rulebook in PDF format. More..

Perched upon a crossroads in the northwest of Middle-earth, the small town of Bree is a quiet village. In the center of town, the Prancing Pony Inn is a home away from home for weary travelers from distant lands. Looking for Gandalf the Grey, Frodo and his companions seek shelter from the Black Riders who have pursued them through the wilderness, but there is little rest to be found at the Inn this night. Unfriendly stares bear down on the fearful Hobbit party and the wizard fails to appear. Amid the sodden patrons and hooded strangers Frodo and his friends exchange fretful glances, while outside the terrifying Wraiths converge upon the town in search of their quarry. Just Released – edition size: ONLY 500 World Wide PRE ORDER NOW!

Weta is today hugely excited to bring to the world Weta Legs, a digitigrades leg extension for performers, costumers and anyone who’s ever wanted to walk like an animal. Since they were displayed a year ago on the Internet for the first time, there has been tremendous interest from performers across the world.

Weta Legs are a unique, low profile, professional grade, reverse leg stilt for creature and costume performances in movies, television, theatre, circus, street performances and other creative contexts. Something previously reserved for commercial film and television projects, they are the first of their kind available commercially to the public. More..

Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” might want to fire up the kettle and get out their map of Middle-earth, that beloved world of wizards, dragons and hobbits created by the fantasy author. Time to pencil in Dalton, Ohio, first home of Hobbit Tea. This tiny Wayne County village near Wooster is where seven young Mennonite and Amish workers are mixing and packaging teas, herbs and fruit into three new blends: Hobbiton Meadow Mint, Gandalf the Gray Tea and Bilbo Baggins Breakfast Blend. More..