I will be heading to New Zealand next month for a 10-day vacation in and around Wellington. Ubisoft, makers of “Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie” headed a contest a while back where the winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Wellington to visit the WETA studios, and I’ll be escorting them!
My journey begins on April 6th and I arrive on the 8th (the 7th will magically disappear from my calendar thanks to the wonder of crossing a ton of time zones), I have a few things already planned, my wife and I want to take some city and LOTR location tours, and we plan on seeing some friends I have made over the years while working on Lord of the Rings, King Kong and Narnia websites. Of course I also want to do some lounging about in the pre-fall goodness that is Wellywood. I will be shooting some video to be featured on the site, so keep an eye out for those!
I plan on having a ton of photos and goodies to show you from my trip, and if you know of any cool places to visit in the area, drop me a line!
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Balin with TehanuWith sadness TheOneRing.net announces today the passing of staff member, friend and Tolkien fan ‘Balin’. He was a fixture on the TORn chat room (Barliman’s) where he made many virtual friends that became close personal friends from around the globe.
Balin moderated Barliman’s with wit and humor and his good nature and knowledge on a wide range of topics that will be missed. He also was instrumental for TORn in establishing the scholarly track at the ORC and ELF events and helped to bridge the gap between scholars and Lord of the Ring movie fans.
Most of all Balin will be missed by friends and family for the wise, humourous and thoughtful person that he was. Private services will be held for his family.
Balin’s family had this to say to his closest friends and TORn staff: “We want to thank everyone for all the kind words and support you have given us. Balin thrived on the camaraderie and friendship he found in all of you, and we thank you for all the care, love, and friendship you have given him and us.”
The death followed a long illness in which Balin stayed active and enjoyed his family and friends with vigor and joy. He was a TORn regular at conventions and gatherings, making many friends and closing many bars.
TheOneRing.net extends its deepest sympathies to Balin’s family, now also friends of the Tolkien community. We loved your father and husband and will cherish our memories of him.
Add your comments to the condolences thread on TheOneRing.net message board here. Friends of Balin’s are gathering in the site’s chat room to share their memories.
Do you have a photograph with Balin? We are collecting images to post into a special scrapbook gallery devoted to his memory. Please email them to spymaster@theonering.net.
In lieu of flowers, Balin’s family are suggesting donations in his memory to the Joliet Area Community Hospice or the Colon Cancer Alliance. If you should choose to donate, please indicate the donation in memory of Gregory Grieman.
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If you didn’t know, EA Games is releasing ‘The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™ II for XBOX 360 this September 2006. But for those of you with PCs, your wait is nearly over! March 2nd is just around the corner and the game will hit store shelves then! [BFME II Homepage] [BFME II Hits GOLD] [Xbox Release]
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REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 13, 2006–Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) today announced that the highly anticipated PC game, The Lord of the Rings(TM), The Battle for Middle-earth(TM) II will make its exclusive console debut when it ships in Summer 2006 on the Xbox 360(TM). Players can now command epic Middle-earth battles presented in spectacular high-definition from the comfort of their very own couch. To add to the intensity of the experience, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 is the first game in The Lord of the Rings(TM) series that will be playable over Xbox LIVE(TM)(1). Players will be able to challenge friends online and engage in intense, action-packed real-time battles.
“Living these cinematic battles in high-definition with stunning surround sound, all from the comfort of your living room couch on the Xbox 360, is an extraordinary experience,” said Louis Castle, VP of Creative Development at EALA. “Adding the ability to battle it out with friends via Xbox LIVE is also really exciting.”
Based on the PC version of the same name, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 will bring players into the heart of Middle-earth to live the battles seen in the blockbuster New Line Cinema films and classic J.R.R. Tolkien literary fiction. The game boasts a new and intuitive console-specific control scheme that will allow novice players to enjoy the game’s signature strategy gameplay while giving expert players the flexibility needed to engage in a deeply complex strategy experience. Players will directly control hundreds of units in an attempt to defeat enemy armies, conquer new lands, and seal the fate of Middle-earth.
Developed at EA’s Los Angeles studio, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 offers players a new depth of The Lord of the Rings fiction never before explored in an EA console game. The game makers at EALA have brought The Lord of the Rings world to life in accordance with an agreement with The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises that grants EA the rights to develop games based on the books, in addition to a separate agreement that allows for games based on the New Line Cinema films.
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 has not yet been rated by the ESRB and the PC version is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about either game, please visit: www.bfme2.ea.com. For information about all of EA’s games, please visit EA’s press site at www.info.ea.com.
(1) Online play requires Internet Connection. Xbox Live online play also requires subscription to the Xbox Live service.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien’s works for almost 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
About New Line Cinema Corporation
Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line’s Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All The Lord of the Rings content other than content from the New Line trilogy of The Lord of The Rings films (C) 2006 The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises (“SZC”). All Rights Reserved. The Lord of the Rings, and the names of the characters, events, items, and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SZC under license. All content from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (C) MMVI New Line Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved. Xbox and Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Electronic Arts
Abby Topolsky, 310-754-7005 (Public Relations)
atopolsky@ea.com
Brooke Cahalane, 310-754-7312 (Senior Publicist)
bcahalane@ea.com
SOURCE: Electronic Arts
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Meghan, Online Community Manager for The Lord of the Rings Online writes: “Steeped in the histories of Middle-earth, Lore-masters are able to aid their fellows in recovering from maladies caused by the forces of the Dark Lord….” You can find more info about the Lore-master (and an avatar!) on our Playable Classes page here.
In other, and some might say bigger news, this morning we announced our partnership with Midway Games for co-publishing and distribution of LOTRO in North America. This is great news for all of us here at Turbine, and we’re excited to be working with such a terrific partner. You can find the full press release here.
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