The
waiting has just begun as EA announces an LOTR RPG
will arrive in late 2007. by
Vaughn Smith
July
18, 2006 - In
an industry built as much on innovation as it is on
repetition and even downright intellectual property
plagiarism, it really comes as no surprise that EA
is creating an open-ended RPG within the LoTR universe.
I'm not suggesting that's a bad idea - I personally
think it's a wonderful idea - it's just not exactly
a new idea.

EA,
having created successful action games based on the
LoTR license already as well as the current darling
of the Xbox 360 RTS scene, LoTR: Battle For Middle-earth
II, the world's largest game publisher knows that
rabid Tolkien fans appreciate their efforts, but desire
more depth. Creating a role playing game based on
the Tolkien's mythology is a no-brainer if there ever
was one. Let's face it, if it wasn't for LoTR, the
entire paper and pen D&D movement wouldn't have
materialized, which was the impetus for today's video
game RPG's, but had formed many of it's rules and
classes based upon Tolkien's impressive body of fiction.
With The White Council arriving in the RPG arena in
late 2007, the circle is now closing....almost like
a ring if you will....
Our
extremely talented and dedicated team is committed
to creating an incredible new experience for fans
of The Lord of the Rings and role playing gamers,
said Steve Gray, executive producer, The Lord of the
Rings, The White Council. With its next generation
gameplay and epic new storyline, we think The Lord
of the Rings, The White Council will be a huge success.

Players
have the freedom to explore the open world of Tolkiens
Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings, The White Council.
Players can choose their role as a man, an elf, a
dwarf, or a hobbit. Each roles destiny is to
become a hero allied with the White Council, whose
members include the famed characters Gandalf, Saruman,
Galadriel, and Elrond.
A
combination of stunning graphics and expansive environments,
along with the freedom of movement demonstrates the
innovation and quality of the next-generation RPG,
where players can create their own adventures.
History
of the White Council [Source: Wiki]
The
White Council's head was the Wizard Saruman the White,
(although Galadriel wished for Gandalf the Grey to
be made the leader). Other members of the Council
included the Bearers of the Three Rings of the Elves
(although this was not known to any save the Bearers):
Gandalf the Grey, Galadriel, and Elrond Half-Elven.
Círdan the Shipwright (who had borne Narya,
the ring of Fire before handing it on to Gandalf),
and Radagast the Brown.
The
White Council first met in 2463 TA, at the end of
the Watchful Peace. In 2851 TA. the White Council
met to decide on whether to act on Gandalf's discovery
of the identity of the Necromancer but Saruman disuaded
the others. The meeting was also the reason that Gandalf
was unable to accompany Bilbo and the dwarves on a
portion of their trip to the Lonely mountain, in the
Hobbit. During this meeting there was much tension
between Saruman and Gandalf, for Gandalf already suspected
Saruman of desiring to have the One Ring. When he
realised that the One Ring was possibly still in the
area of the Gladden Fields and Sauron was actively
seeking it Saruman relented and in 2941 TA. Sauron
was driven out of Dol Guldur only to re-appear in
Mordor. The Council last met in 2953 TA., at this
meeting Saruman insisted that the One Ring had been
swept out to sea.
By
Vaughn Smith
CCC
Site Director
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