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Monolith Looks To Deliver With Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor

Earlier this week, I sat down and (once again) lost myself in Tolkien's fantastic world of Middle-Earth, thanks to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The film was great, as you surely know or have heard, and it got me thinking about the future of the brand as far as video games go. I mean, it's true that we received several Lord of the Rings video games during this console generation, but only a couple of them were any good. Even then, they were tailored towards specific audiences, such as those who love all-ages friendly LEGO games and others who like to sit down and think their way through real-time strategy experiences. Unfortunately, those of us who prefer action, role-playing and adventure games didn't really receive anything worth getting excited over.

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Earlier this week, I sat down and (once again) lost myself in Tolkien’s fantastic world of Middle-Earth, thanks to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The film was great, as you surely know or have heard, and it got me thinking about the future of the brand as far as video games go. I mean, it’s true that we received several Lord of the Rings video games during this console generation, but only a couple of them were any good. Even then, they were tailored towards specific audiences, such as those who love all-ages friendly LEGO games and others who like to sit down and think their way through real-time strategy experiences. Unfortunately, those of us who prefer action, role-playing and adventure games didn’t really receive anything worth getting excited over.

Hopefully what’s written above will change in the somewhat near future, thanks to Monolith Productions (F.E.A.R.) and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. That’s because the two have partnered to announce an in-development project named Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, which sounds great on paper and has the potential to make us forget all about War in the North when it launches on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows PC.

Showcased on the front cover of December’s issue of Game Informer, Shadow of Mordor is an entirely original storyline, which is said to be both dark and full of retribution. Within its design, players will get to assume the identity of a resurrected ranger named Talion, who watched his family fall victim to murder at the hands of Sauron and his army. Expectedly, the brand new character’s tale has him attempting to exact vengeance upon those who wronged him, forcing him to take a trip to the unholy land of Mordor.

“In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, players will explore the dark and very personal theme of vengeance in a world where decisions have a consequence, and those consequences persist even after death,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The game introduces new gameplay mechanics to the action genre, creating opportunities for emergent and customized gameplay that will be rewarding for players.”

Little is known about the gameplay mechanics that Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor will employ, but we have learned that the game will adapt to players’ actions and choices, through a dynamic world that will provide a unique experience for every individual.

You can find out more via the attached press release. Then, head down to the comments and let us know if you’re ready for another Middle Earth game.

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO DELIVER AN ORIGINAL, DARK STORY OF RETRIBUTION IN THIRD-PERSON ACTION GAME MIDDLE-EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR

Burbank, Calif. – Nov. 12, 2013 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, a next-generation, third-person action game set in Middle-earth that explores an original story of vengeance and redemption. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is in development for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.

In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, gamers take on the role of Talion, a valiant ranger whose family is slain in front of him the night Sauron and his army return to Mordor, moments before his own life is taken. Resurrected by a Spirit of vengeance and empowered with Wraith abilities, Talion ventures into Mordor and vows to destroy those who have wronged him. Through the course of his personal vendetta, Talion uncovers the truth of the Spirit that compels him, learns the origins of the Rings of Power and ultimately confronts his true nemesis.

“In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, players will explore the dark and very personal theme of vengeance in a world where decisions have a consequence, and those consequences persist even after death,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The game introduces new gameplay mechanics to the action genre, creating opportunities for emergent and customized gameplay that will be rewarding for players.”

Every enemy that players face is a unique individual, differentiated by their personality, strengths and weaknesses. Through the Nemesis System, enemy relationships and characteristics are shaped by player actions and decisions to create personal archenemies that remember and adapt to the player and are distinct to every gameplay session. Gamers are able to craft their own battles, enemies and rewards within the dynamic world that remembers and adapts to their choices, delivering a unique experience to every player.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is under development by Monolith Productions. The team has collaborated with Middle-earth Enterprises, Peter Jackson and the artists at Weta Workshop to ensure that the settings, characters and story align authentically within canon.

For more information, visit www.ShadowofMordor.com, Facebook.com/ShadowofMordor and Twitter.com/Middleearthgame.

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About Monolith Productions
Monolith Productions, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is located in Kirkland, WA. Over the past 19 years, Monolith has risen to critical acclaim through an emphasis on delivering immersive gaming experiences.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

MIDDLE-EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR © 2013 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Monolith. In association with WingNut Films. © 2013 New Line Productions, Inc. © The Saul Zaentz Company. MIDDLE-EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR, THE HOBBIT, and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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