Around the world fans of all ages and backgrounds have come together for their love of Tolkien’s works. With the release of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy many new lives have been touched by the Fellowships quest to thwart evil. With these new films we’re also introduced to a wonderful expanse of gaming properties based on the lands of Middle-Earth, these gaming properties have brought more people together in gaming communities, through leagues of card gamers and role players, and those who fight massive battles with tiny miniatures, Tolkien’s work continues to bring fans together in a way that few things have ever been able to accomplish. Let’s take a look at some of the recent events and occurrences in this first installment of Gaming Haven’s Week in Gaming.
This past Saturday, the 6th of July, some of Decipher’s Riders [or Product Champions] came down to Mile High Comics in Garden Grove, CA to play in one of the store’s many Sealed Deck Tournaments. The day was filled with great competitive opportunities lead by Rider Lao_of_Gondor. Special props go to the devastatingly talented player Ram for taking first place, and Rider Cat for taking Second, with a special note worthy mention going to new player Abe for overwhelming his opponent at Site 2. The day was an exciting opportunity for new players and old to come together and celebrate the release of Decipher’s new expansion: Realms of the Elf Lords.
This group from Mile High Comics meets every Friday night at Round Table Pizza down the street, this official League is one of hundreds around the globe that come together and enjoy some organized and casual play with this exciting and fun game. Stay tuned to Gaming Havens for information on league’s in your areas, and upcoming events!
Also in the news Gamepro’s writers have had a chance to look over Electronic Art’s Two Towers game and bring preview to the fans, drop in and take a look at that here.
The Origins Awards ceremony was held June 28th and brought the award for best Best Graphic Presentation of a Card Game and Best Game of 2001. Take a look at the full scoop here.
Looking for some great LOTR Gaming Discussion? Always remeber to drop by #Havens on irc.theonering.net!
Got a Gaming Related Event Planned? Read an interesting article you think other gamers should see? Just had a great time at one of your local gaming retailers? Then Drop us a line! We always love to hear from you! Just send an e-mail to havens@theonering.net and tell us your story! We just might feature it in the next Week in Gaming!
BOWLMOOT – A Celebration of the Music of The Lord of the Rings
On Saturday, August 10th, fans from across the country (and some from around the world) will descend upon the Hollywood Bowl for the second night of the LA Philharmonic’s series, Musical Mythologies featuring music from the Academy Award-winning score of The Lord of the Rings.
These festivities will include a large potluck picnic from 4-7 pm that same day for friends and fans of Middle-earth at the Highland-Camrose Park one block south of the Hollywood Bowl. Come to meet your fellow fans and enjoy the celebration of the musical rendering of the greatest novel of the Twentieth Century (and arguably the greatest movie of the Twenty-first).
There are still tickets available at the discounted group rate of $20. However, they are very few, so they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the picnic is not just limited to those in the group. If you have tickets already and would like to attend the picnic, or would like to purchase one of the few remaining group tickets, please email Josh Rubinstein at orthanc_ent@yahoo.com.
If you would like to bring food to the picnic, please email Hannah Mclaughlin at hannah.mclaughlin@cox.net.
We’re also looking for a few LA local volunteers to help set up and break down the picnic area, as well as some other tasks. If you’re interested in helping out, please include that in your email.
Josh and other yet-to-be-appointed agents will also be handing out passes to the picnic at the upcoming events. Keep your eye out for them! [More]
Airen writes: Thought all the Orlando fans out there might be interested in a Sunday Telegraph “Body and Soul” feature on Orlando Bloom. Here it is:
Star Bodies – healthy secrets of the stars – ORLANDO BLOOM
The beautifully named Orlando Bloom is best known as Legolas Greenleaf in The Lord of The Rings trilogy. He is barely out of acting school, but has been included in the Young Hollywood Awards for “Exciting New Male Face”, and was voted 19th in a magazine’s list of the Top 50 Sexiest British Actors. We’ll see him next this summer in Lullaby of Clubland, but keep your eyes peeled. He is only on screen for eight minutes. Next big gig – Ned Kelly alongside Heath Ledger.
Orlando is 180cm, brown-haired and brown-eyed. Like Sean Bean, his co-star in The Lord of the Rings, he has a tattoo of ‘nine’ in Elvish on his right forearm. He also has a tattoo of a sun on his torso.
Exercise
“I enjoy keeping fit and it comes easily to me because I’m into sports in a big way, especially surfing, snowboarding, sky diving, bungee jumping and paragliding,” he says. This is probably the reason why, over the years, he has broken his back, his ribs, his nose, both his legs, his arm, his wrist, a finger and a toe and cracked his skull three times!
“You could say that I’m accident prone,” he smiles. For The Lord of the Rings he learned how to ride a horse bareback while shooting an arrow. He also learned to fight and wield two swords.
“Letting go of the reins and shooting my bow and arrow was tricky stuff,” he says. “You have to have real faith in your horse. I did fall off him once and broke a rib!”
Diet
“I am a vegetarian and stay clear of dairy products,” he says. Orlando’s favourite foods are pasta, pizza, oatmeal, rice and vegetables and baked potatoes.
He also eats his nails. “Sadly, yes I do – ever since I gave up smoking. Now I’m trying to give up nails,” he says.
Love Life
He dated actress Joanne Morley, his Lullaby of Clubland co-star, was briefly engaged to model Jemma Kidd and is now said to be seeing actress Christina Ricci.
DECIPHER’S THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ TCG RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS GAME INDUSTRY AWARDS
AT 28th ANNUAL ORIGINS AWARDS!
The Lord of the Rings™ TCG Takes Home
Best Graphic Presentation of a Card Game and
Best Trading Card Game of 2001
(Norfolk, VA, July 6, 2002) — Decipher’s The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game was awarded Best Trading Card Game (TCG) of 2001 and Best Graphic Presentation of a Card Game last night at the 28th Annual Origins Awards ceremony in Columbus, Ohio. The prestigious awards were presented by many celebrities including John Rhys-Davies, who portrays “Gimli The Dwarf” in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Decipher’s TCG Studio Game Designer Joe Alread was on hand to accept the award for Best TCG of 2001, while Decipher Marketing Manager Kendrick Summers accepted on behalf of the Art Group for Best Graphic Presentation for a Card Game.
“We are very proud to have these industry honors bestowed upon us for a game that we believe in so strongly,” said Warren Holland, Decipher’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our game designers worked extremely hard to develop a trading card game that would stay true to the lore of The Lord of the Rings™ while incorporating some of the most innovative game mechanics of any TCG available. The work of our art department on this game speaks for itself.”
Voting for the Best Trading Card Game of 2001 was open to the public, while Best Graphic Presentation of a Card Game was voted on exclusively by members of the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design.
These Origins Awards are the most recent accolades received by Decipher for its The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game. Earlier this year, The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game was the recipient of the first Nigel D. Findley Memorial Award for Outstanding Card Gaming Product of the Year. In addition, InQuest Gamer Magazine fans named The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game “Best CCG” in the June 2001 issue. InQuest staff awarded The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game the title of “Best Movie-Based CCG of All Time” in the May 2002 issue.
The Origins Awards, which are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design, celebrate the best in board, roleplaying, miniatures, trading card games, professional and amateur magazine publications, game-related fiction, play-by-mail game design, and gaming accessories and supplements.
About Decipher Inc.
Founded in 1983 by Warren Holland, Decipher Inc. is a worldwide leader in the collectible card game industry and fan club industry. The company’s Trading Card Game Studio produces Star Trek™, Star Wars™, Austin Powers™, and The Lord of the Rings™ trading card games. Decipher’s Fan Club Studio operates the official fan clubs for Star Trek™ and The Lord of the Rings™ which includes publishing official fan magazines and managing online stores. Decipher’s RPG (roleplaying games) & Miniatures Studio is responsible for the creation of the all-new Star Trek™ roleplaying games and The Lord of the Rings™ roleplaying games. Decipher’s Online Games Studio offers digital versions of its Star Trek™ and, soon, its The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Games.
From Tookish: I play the card game myself, and I can tell you it is phenomenal. You can catch Decipher at Comic Con and other conventions throughout the year. For more on the game and Decipher, check out their website: [More]
(Norfolk, VA, July 6, 2002) — Decipher’s The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game was awarded Best Trading Card Game (TCG) of 2001 and Best Graphic Presentation of a Card Game last night at the 28th Annual Origins Awards ceremony in Columbus, Ohio. The prestigious awards were presented by many celebrities including John Rhys-Davies, who portrays “Gimli The Dwarf” in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Decipher’s TCG Studio Game Designer Joe Alread was on hand to accept the award for Best TCG of 2001, while Decipher Marketing Manager Kendrick Summers accepted on behalf of the Art Group for Best Graphic Presentation for a Card Game.
“We are very proud to have these industry honors bestowed upon us for a game that we believe in so strongly,” said Warren Holland, Decipher’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our game designers worked extremely hard to develop a trading card game that would stay true to the lore of The Lord of the Rings™ while incorporating some of the most innovative game mechanics of any TCG available. The work of our art department on this game speaks for itself.”
Voting for the Best Trading Card Game of 2001 was open to the public, while Best Graphic Presentation of a Card Game was voted on exclusively by members of the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design.
These Origins Awards are the most recent accolades received by Decipher for its The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game. Earlier this year, The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game was the recipient of the first Nigel D. Findley Memorial Award for Outstanding Card Gaming Product of the Year. In addition, InQuest Gamer Magazine fans named The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game “Best CCG” in the June 2001 issue. InQuest staff awarded The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Game the title of “Best Movie-Based CCG of All Time” in the May 2002 issue.
The Origins Awards, which are presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design, celebrate the best in board, roleplaying, miniatures, trading card games, professional and amateur magazine publications, game-related fiction, play-by-mail game design, and gaming accessories and supplements.
