The Battle for Middle-Earth
Sam journeys to a land where Tolkien meets EA.
Film licences have a history of being a tricky thing to turn into decent computer games. I think the very first licence that wasn't a total disaster was Ocean's Batman back on the 8-bit machines, yet up until recently the majority of film tie-ins have been lamentably poor. Over the last couple of years this situation has improved for the better, with many of the best spin-offs coming from that behemoth of publishing, EA. They seem to get the very best in co-operation from the film studios, which results in the subsequent game reeking of authenticity. Their recent Lord of the Rings outing, Return of the King, was an enjoyable action-adventure that was greatly improved by the close integration of its visual and auditory repertoire with that of the film. The next big release in this most bounteous of licences will be The Battle for Middle Earth, an RTS set in that eponymous realm and coded by the makers of that most venerable of RTS series, Command & Conquer.
The team behind C&C Generals and its expansion Zero Hour, EA LA, could not be better suited to making Battle for Middle Earth into the one game to rule them all. Their efforts of last year resulted in one of the very best looking games of any type at the time and one which played just as well as it looked. BME will utilise a modified version of the Generals engine, so at the very least the game should run on lower-specced machines. But you will want some muscle in your beige box to fully appreciate the splendour of the world that EA LA are striving to create. Rather than plonk an RTS into the setting EA LA are attempting to create a rich and vibrant world in which you then play the game. So we can expect to see life going on around the peaceful habitat of the hobbits and nature going about its business in blissful ignorance of the intentions of Mordor. One example given is of a waterfall, around which is a lush forest environment, complete with drinking animals and birds passing overhead. The developers have stressed how important it is to them to get the feel of Middle Earth just right. In fact it is a primary goal of the game, to have the players believing that they are personally involved in this world and that their actions will, for better or for worse, help to decide its fate. So don't expect to see any favoured characters or races doing things just because they are required to do so by the norms of RTS design. The developers prefer to change the conventions of the genre rather than of the world of Middle Earth, so we can expect to see some new and unusual ways of interacting with the game.
One example given is of unit morale. A group of Gondor foot soldiers sent to deal with a band of rampaging trolls will be visibly hesitant and unsure as they press their attack, emotions replaced by jubilation and glee when their small force vanquishes the much larger foes. Hopefully this design won't extend as far as insubordination, but it is an exciting prospect and indicative of the fresh approach that is being taken. And you will get plenty of opportunity to see these animations and reactions as it's planed for there to be up to 500 units on screen at once. As a result, formations of battalions will be the order of the day, with larger numbers of units coalescing into a single fighting group. This will not only make for some spectacular battles, as a line of Rohan riders crash into a mass of Orcs and Urak Hai, but it will also keep the micromanaging levels down and the player's brain intact. This method has been used with great success in the Total War series among others, so we should hopefully see some tactical benefits to various formations making an appearance in the final game.
With sequences like those at Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith to draw on it's a great relief to know that siege warfare will play an integral part in BME. And it won't just be some catapults smashing down some walls. Not only will larger creatures like Ents and trolls be able to pick up scenery off the battlefield and hurl them at the enemy, but once a fortress's outer defences are breached the real fun will begin when defending against a siege. Traps will make a welcome appearance, so expect to be able to slam a portcullis shut after some curious Orcs make their way under it. You can then deal with the interlopers by unleashing the fury of your concealed archers upon them, or even better, emptying big cauldrons of boiling oil over their heads. From this it sounds like the famous deviant humour that we have come to love and expect from the C&C series will find a home in The Battle for Middle Earth.
Comments
Drakngard is tight But Evrquest is better >:(
something to do to liven your brain after watching all three of the DVDs back to back. looks like a cool game, a nice change to the normal C&C
please tell me battle foe middle earth will come out on xbox or ps2
I CAN NOT WAIT for this awesome game to come out
i think this game is only for PC....this game its great
xD
can't wait for this game, it'll revolutionize age of empires:-D
Yea, if anybody knows that this game is gonna come out for Xbox, or preferebly PS2.......IM me at Blinkfreak182037 and tell me
previews of the battle for middle earth on gameboyadvance
when is it comin out on pc
is battle for middle earth only coming out on pc or is it out on xbox or ps2 or anything
cant wait to be isengard
cant wait to be isengard
crappy
i work for EA's production studios and the game is only for pc. You can be Gondor, Rohan, Ents, or evil.
please tell me when the battle for middle earth pc demo will be releast
God i hope they include minas tirith
From this preview, id say i would buy this game as a definate
I hope this game comes out in june instead of august or any later than june because that would really suck if anybody has any information on the offical release date let us know.
Does anyone of have a clue when this amazing game comes out?!!! I hope its soon...Let me know...Make a Comment ill check
when it is coming out?
Supposedly it's released June 14 but they might change it.
It will be avaiable only on the pc, you'l be able to play as Isengard, Gondor, Rohan, Harad, Mordor, Easterlings...etc. Minas Tirith, Edoras and Isengard will be just a few of the strongholds you can lay siege to or defend its walls.
i hope the morale thing wont be like in total war, cause i hated it if i could really smash atleast half their army but my stupid soldiers run away to be slaugterd by cavalry in theyr run
man i wish we could play the lesser people like the harad easterlings elves and dwarves
does anyone know what the release price is.
i cant wait till the game comes out i luv lotr
I am a sad person who thinks i am cool and i was grunger but now i am a rude boy. I phone up my friends girls and get obseesed wid them. I cant get my own girls so o took majas, sarahs, annas and jodie and MEL. You can c how annoying i must be.
i Like EGGS:-p
dsgfsdkhfkjdshkjfhsjkdhegggsuifyhasuhduihashdklas;EGG
this game looks awsome i wanna play so bad i wanna attack things with mordor and gondor can we use easterlings and elves
Get this out already men!!!
it come sout june 14 right?
hahahhahaha
how did you guys come across this site
I think elves are unique units and can't be built by anyone, so you like start with them and have to keep them alive.
Just a theory.
hi does someone knows when the demo of battle for middle earth comes out
thanks m8s
This game will rule them all :-):-);-) The game is only coming out on pc this fall i think.
I just say it's not quite fun without elves or dwarves, since they played a vital role in the battle for Endor(ME). For one, they defended Dale and Erebor (known to "The Hobbit" readers) against as much armies as Gondor...
What are the expected system requirements for this game? I don't think my athlon xp 1600+ will cut it....
game info- release early november 2004, playable factions- mordor, gondor, rohan , and isengard .... price 40- 50 dollars (idk what in euros)....game will have virtually no interface ( options will pop up when a building or unit is selected)......... does anyone think you can have an RTS on a console w/o a mouse (NO) so its only on PC...........the graphics look great and all the main characters of the movie will appear in the game ... i wish EA had the rights to the book so then they could possibly use more factions ( PLEASE LET THERE BE AN EXPANSION PACK W/ THE DWARVES AND ELVES AND HARADRIM) lol i want this game
;-)
the game comes out in fall about September :-( ;-)
i know it sucks
sorry
I rekon there will be a demo soon...for the e3 preview of the game with mark skaggs they had set it up in a demo format!!
wow, this is the best game ever
I know! :-D
Is this game ever going to come out on ps2 because it wouldn't work on my pc..............?
Is this game ever going to come out on ps2 because it wouldn't work on my pc..............?
:-D I think that this game(battle for middle-earth)wil be the best game of the lotr games!!! i have chek som trailers and their are realy good!!!:-D
O man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what is this game good, it's verry cool and FUN!!! I locking for a demo of it... if you no tell me. please?!
IT IS COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-)
Why is it only for pc
Why is it only for pc
Why is it only for pc
The sytem requirements:
-1.4ghz p4 or AMD equivalent
-512mb RAM
-Dx9 video card (128mb recommended)
-Internet connection (DSL/cable or better).
-Geforce 2 card or better.
You guys R Awsome! thanks for makin the game
Im with AirbornePOep
Ive know this since september and cryed because it wasnt out.............Im addicted to this game
This is so cool you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(smile)
Its comin out august u know i read it
EVERQUEST IS NOT BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When is this game coming out????I have serched 10
websites.
Its fun grab the rohrimis with the naguil and let hit the ground so hard. Its funny
AUGUST!!!! ITS IN AUGUST THATS WHEN ITS COMIN OUT!
To set everyone straight:
- There is NOT an actual release date yet, tentative plans say Sept. or Oct.
- There wil be 4 playable forces, each with unique units and heroes
1. Gondor
2. Rohan
3. Isengard
4. Mordor
CAN U PLAY AS ELVES AND DWARVES ON THIS GAME?????
hey does any one know a website where i can find all the units?
please its what i gotta do before i will buy it!
CAN U PLAY AS ELVES AND DWARVES ON THIS GAME?????
CAN U PLAY AS ELVES AND DWARVES ON THIS GAME?????
CAN U PLAY AS ELVES AND DWARVES ON THIS GAME?????
First of all, soldier of rohan is an idiot.
U will not be able to be the teams he say, the teams u can be are:
Rohan
Isengard
Gondor
Mordor
Will u be able to win this game-campaign on 5 minutes. It seemes as if the maps are REALLY small.
Do u have any information about this?
The game comes out in November 15
Sry
But it looks like an amazing game
:-(
btw look for the LOTR Third Age also an amazing game
Anticipation is the only thing on my mind, BFME is shere brilliance
Will u be able to win this game-campaign in 5 minutes. It seemes as if the maps are REALLY small.
Do u have any information about this?
I wouldnt know... srry
I would think that they would make the campaign pretty tough to level up to the audacity of being a Lord of the Rings game... even if not ill just be playing match battles without the campaign.
dude simon how do you know all that crap! i mean all i want to no is where i can find all the units for the sides seriously so the second anyone finds out PLZ post i will check
thnx
dude that sucks that means i have to wait till like the fall DARN IT!
no dude its just the preorder
it's too early for them to release a unit guide, but from the screenshots:
this is what I know so far.
Gondor- swordsmen, archers, tower guards, melee cavalry, citadel guards, stationary perachets (small trebuchets) and army of the dead as a special ability.
Rohan- melee cavalry, archer cavalry with parthian shot, and that's all I know so far.
Isengard- melee infantry, crossbowmen, they have only shown 1 second of Isengard footage in the second clip.
Mordor- Mumikil (spelling?,/oliphaunts), orcs, orc archers, trolls, nazgul (can only get a few in certain missions) and a balrog can be summoned as a special ability.
go to www.battleforgondor.tk to get all the info about the lord of the rings game: battle for middle earth!!
wen does the demo come out? i want to play it. and it does include minas tirith.
um dude whats the difference between tower guard and citadel guard? and you forgot siege towers and catapults
o and dude some one stole my name!
i'm not sure if those are the exact names of the units, but tower guards have tower shields and spears, and citadel guards have a sword and bow...
but i'm not sure, i'm just going off what some of my friends said the screenshots were.
the tower guards have been named and mentioned by the developers though,
if u have any idea what the dudes in gondor armor with winged helms, swords and bows are, then feel free to tell me
and i just forgot about the war machines...
u guys they have guards of the fountain court with shields
they called the dudes with tower shields and spears "tower guards"
hey dude the 4th inside the battle shows more units but they show up to small for me to see them so if you have like a zoom feature...
o and dude pippin is the only guard of the citadel!
hello everyone if you have a question go www.battleforgondor.tk and then contact us send from there a email (I'm the host Ronald) bye dudes
Looks kik ass
this game looks sweet
in this game swords and arrows usually kill in one hit which already makes it more realistic
trolls can pick up trees and use it as a club
and ents can take a rock out of a building and hurle it at enemy untis
LOL, damn ur site is pathetic dude, it sux. Doesn't tell you anything!!!!!!
its coming out on november 17
The game accually comes out in mid November. :-(
where can i download demo?
i hope they show the units and heros for difrant races soon
Battle for middle earth is an amazing game with a lot of adventure to it, i cant wait to buy it, the system requirments are a P4proceser with 226 ram
Im building a new computer just for this game, since its got such good graphics, and my computer can barely play CNC Generals in high resolution, i want to be able to see the full resolution of this game, and some others. And by the way, my comp is a 3.2 HT P4, 512MB, 128 9800 Graphics card as of right now, and it wont flawlessly run the Generals. Its a laptop though...
Plan on building 3.4 P4 HT, 1GB Ram, 256MB 9800 Radeon, i think it will hold up.
U can choose Rohan Gondor Isengard and Mordor, that is sooo cool, with Rohan u can call up the Elves and with Gondor the Ents and Eagles,
The release of this game is Novembre 15th. I cant wait 4 it either! This game will be the best, with emotions on the game and the fortresses and stuff, can't wait 2 play with Gondor or play the Siege of Helms Deep.