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Sierra gets its game? So says PC Gamer... - Lord of the Rings news - J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

November 13, 2000 at 04:01:03

When last we heard about Havas Interactive division Sierra Online and the suspended Middle-earth Online game, things looked dark for the developer.

Rumors all summer long have threatened to unleash an Electronic Arts announcement on the world with a film-based license sanctioned by powerful media empire New Line Cinema. Even the much respected Variety has declared that an EA/New Line announcement was imminent.

Yet now the December issue of PC Gamer reveals that Sierra may have pulled off what was deemed impossible.

The text of the report is not available on PC Gamer's Web site (yet), but the following was posted to a Tolkien-related forum this past weekend.

MIDDLE EARTH

Developer: Sierra

Publisher: Sierra

Release Date: Late 2001

What We Know: After internal restructuring, the ME project is apparently well underway (and we should have some news on its status next month). Aside from a complete change of development team, Sierra has also had to contend with legal issues over rights to the Tolkien franchise. Recently, it was rumored that EA was about to ink a deal for the rights to Lord of the Rings properties stemming from the movie currently nearing completion in New Zealand. Naturally, all parties will want to cash in on the level of interest surrounding the upcoming three movies; this is a big-name property that is probably one of the few with the clout to muscle room in the crowded fantasy online gaming market. Anyone who has ever been enthralled by the books would relish the opportunity to play in this setting -- and that's a massive potential audience.

Late 2001? What kind of timing is that? Incredible timing. If the report is accurate, then Havas is undoubtedly banking everything on being able to roll out a game just before "The Fellowship of the Ring" hits theaters. Beta will have to start sometime in late summer.

And where does that leave Electronic Arts? Will they proceed with a contract and bring out their own game? Will they shift directions and pursue a different market?