Weta Limited, under the brand Weta Originals has revealed its show exclusive piece for 2007, that will be available this years San Diego Comic Con. The piece is a miniature version of the Weta Originals ManMelter from the Rayguns range, titled, the ‘Mini ManMelter’. The Mini ManMelter is a quarter sized replica of its larger brother, the ManMelter. The Mini ManMelter weighs approximately 120 grams (not including packaging), is slightly larger than a matchbox and is priced at $30US. [More]

Lee at the Festroia Film Festival Antonio writes: My father and I saw Christopher Lee at the Festroia Film Festival in Portugal, we took some pictures that we want to share. [More]

The Lord of the Rings Online game will celebrate the first annual Summer Solstice Festival live for three weeks. The first of many planned seasonal festivities, the festival will offer players a number of unique quests, vendors and activities.

Turbine (US) and Codemasters (Europe) provide the update as part of the quest to attract and retain monthly subscribers who want to play in and explore an online version of Middle-earth populated with other players participating live.

The Summer Solstice Festival is called different things by different races. Whether it’s the Lithe Festival (Hobbits), Summerdays (Men), Summerfest (Dwarves) or the Festival of Enedhin (Elves), they all share the common themes of summer including planting, dancing, drinking, games and fireworks. Players can celebrate throughout
Middle-earth from June 20th to July 10th by interacting with special vendors and participating in quests designed just for the festival.

According to a press release from Turbine activites include:

  • Dancing – There will be dancing quests with new race-specific dance emotes as a reward.
  • Fireworks – Players who collect fireworks from each of the four vendors in the Summer Solstice Festival will receive a unique firework.
  • Scavenger Hunts – Players can participate in one of three scavenger hunts that will grant them unique special recipes, seeds and pipeweed.
  • Hobnanigans – Join in madcap chicken-chasing games! There is an arena near the Bree Festival Grounds with two team captains as quest bestowers. Once twelve players are ready, the “Game Hen” will appear in the center of the arena and players will use a stick to persuade the chicken around the arena. Each team will have to get the chicken into a goal at the far end of the field three times within a certain time limit.The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players can experience Middle-earth online. The Lord of the Rings Online is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America and Europe. For more information about visit www.lotro.com.
  • It’s the most expensive West End musical ever and has been three years in the making, but now The Lord of the Rings is about to open. Paul Arendt enters a world of elves, ents and leather-clad orcs. Matthew Warchus is looking a little frazzled. It’s not surprising: after three years of development, a lengthy dry run in Toronto and an unprecedented six weeks of London previews, The Lord of the Rings musical is ready to face the critics. As director and co-writer, Warchus has given four years of his life to the project. “I don’t have to worry about this becoming habit forming,” he says during a break in rehearsals. “I certainly don’t intend to do something on this scale ever again.” [More]

    From music4games.net: Developed by Turbine, Inc. (Asheron’s Call) and published by Midway Games Inc. The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar (LOTRO) is the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” In development for over four years, LOTRO opens up the mystical world of Middle-earth and creates the opportunity for endless adventure. To match the epic ambition and stature of this long awaited release the game’s extensive soundtrack demanded the musical talents of several talented composers including HUGEsound’s Audio Director/Composer Chance Thomas, Turbine Entertainment’s Lead Composer Stephen DiGregorio, Turbine Entertainment Audio Director/Composer Geoff Scott, and freelance composer Brad Spear. M4G recently managed to round up two of the game’s composers, Brad Spear and Chance Thomas, to discuss their respective contributions and overall musical spectrum for the game’s soundtrack. [More]

    Steve writes: One of my favorite podcasts (Gamers With Jobs Conference Call) has a great interview with Jeffrey Steefel, the executive producer for Lord of The Rings Online. There’s some good info in there about where the game is headed and what the game might have been. He actually talked about Mordor, which was cool, because I really wanted to know if we were ever going to end up there. [More]