Turbine has announced that they have come to an agreement with Tolkien Enterprises to extend the license to develop MMORPGs based on the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings to 2014.

WESTWOOD, MA – February 20, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. announced today that in the wake of the global success of The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™, named the 2007 PC Game of the Year*, it has reached an agreement with Tolkien Enterprises to extend it’s license to develop Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPG) based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien to 2014 with additional options to extend the rights until 2017.  

“We’re thrilled with the global success of The Lord of the Rings Online since its launch in 2007,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc.   “With the recent announcement of what are sure to be two blockbuster films based on The Hobbit and a sequel, we expect the success of the license and our relationship with Tolkien Enterprises to grow for years to come.”

“We have had a wonderful working relationship with Turbine over the past several years,” said Albert M. Bendich, Executive Vice President of The Saul Zaentz Company, and its merchandising division Tolkien Enterprises. “We look forward to our continuing success with Turbine as it pushes the envelope for compelling online entertainment and gameplay to bring the compelling characters of Middle-earth to life for Tolkien fans around the world.”

Read more here.

That's cool. Congratulations, Turbine.

They make a good point, the 2 new movies being made are very likely going to bring even more popularity to the game.

I wonder if they plan on making another game based on this world, though? As the article says MMORPG's and not just this one.

I really don't forsee another version of Middle-Earth mmorpg for a long while... but maybe in like 5 years or even more they decide they want to redo with more advanced features/game engine and graphics that'd be cool... as long as we lifetime subscribers can transfer our account hehe

 LoTR 2 Hmmm sounds like AC 2 LOL Surprised the Masses still play the game as it should be named Lord of the Spammers.... 

Now this is really confusing

I know that tolkien enterprises basically gave rights to Turbine only for the LOTR timeline - which is why the game is set in this period.

Which is probably the worse period for a MMO based upon middle earth.For example MEO (previous LOTR mmo) was based on period after the LOTR books.

Another thing that limited Turbine is that they could not mention any characters that were not in LOTR books. And not use any areas that were used in other Tolkien books.

But what this means than ?

That Turbies now have right to use Hobbit material as well ? Which would be great

Or that they are doing Hobbit MMO ?? Which would downright destroy LOTRO....

Originally posted by Lobotomist

Now this is really confusing

 

I know that tolkien enterprises basically gave rights to Turbine only for the LOTR timeline - which is why the game is set in this period.

Which is probably the worse period for a MMO based upon middle earth.For example MEO (previous LOTR mmo) was based on period after the LOTR books.

 

Another thing that limited Turbine is that they could not mention any characters that were not in LOTR books. And not use any areas that were used in other Tolkien books.

 

But what this means than ?

That Turbies now have right to use Hobbit material as well ? Which would be great

Or that they are doing Hobbit MMO ?? Which would downright destroy LOTRO....

 

 

I agree that having free reign to use any of the timeline or source materials would be awesome, but how would a 'Hobbit' MMO be superior to LOTRO's time period? 

During the LOTRO time period you have an entire world in conflict, a truly epic sturggle of good versus the ultimate evil, with men, elves, dwarves, and hobbits fighting for their very lives.

During the Hobbit, you get, um.... I'm trying to remember....  Oh yeah - a dragon and some greedy dwarves.  Not too much else.  

The STORY of the Hobbit is woonderful, one of my favorites, and I'd love to see lake town, the lonely mountain, etc... - but if you look at what's happening outside of the main characters, there doesn't seem tobe much going on... 

I think it simply means that Turbine has more time to develop Middle-earth in LotRO.  I very much doubt it means a whole new MMOG.  At most they might be considering LotRO2, but I'd imagine what's more likely is that they're talking about paid-expansions to flesh out areas like Rohan and Gondor.  Those areas will probably need their own development team, and I'm sure they'll want to get people to pay for it, so it could be regarded as a 'new LotR MMOG'.  They may have thought about doing it like City of Heroes and City of Villains, with separate games that can be meshed together if a player owns both.

This is really great news.  I am having fun with this mmo right now. 

Originally posted by dj_decay

 

Originally posted by Lobotomist

Now this is really confusing

 

I know that tolkien enterprises basically gave rights to Turbine only for the LOTR timeline - which is why the game is set in this period.

Which is probably the worse period for a MMO based upon middle earth.For example MEO (previous LOTR mmo) was based on period after the LOTR books.

 

Another thing that limited Turbine is that they could not mention any characters that were not in LOTR books. And not use any areas that were used in other Tolkien books.

 

But what this means than ?

That Turbies now have right to use Hobbit material as well ? Which would be great

Or that they are doing Hobbit MMO ?? Which would downright destroy LOTRO....

 

 

 

I agree that having free reign to use any of the timeline or source materials would be awesome, but how would a 'Hobbit' MMO be superior to LOTRO's time period? 

During the LOTRO time period you have an entire world in conflict, a truly epic sturggle of good versus the ultimate evil, with men, elves, dwarves, and hobbits fighting for their very lives.

During the Hobbit, you get, um.... I'm trying to remember....  Oh yeah - a dragon and some greedy dwarves.  Not too much else.  

The STORY of the Hobbit is woonderful, one of my favorites, and I'd love to see lake town, the lonely mountain, etc... - but if you look at what's happening outside of the main characters, there doesn't seem tobe much going on... 

Maybe talk to Bilbo in Rivendell and the the game would transport you back in time while Bilbo tells of his adventures. I think that would be pretty damn cool !

Originally posted by Lobotomist

Now this is really confusing

 

I know that tolkien enterprises basically gave rights to Turbine only for the LOTR timeline - which is why the game is set in this period.

Which is probably the worse period for a MMO based upon middle earth.For example MEO (previous LOTR mmo) was based on period after the LOTR books.

 

Another thing that limited Turbine is that they could not mention any characters that were not in LOTR books. And not use any areas that were used in other Tolkien books.

 

But what this means than ?

That Turbies now have right to use Hobbit material as well ? Which would be great

Or that they are doing Hobbit MMO ?? Which would downright destroy LOTRO....

 

 

Tolkein Enterprises has no qualms about selling the rights to The Hobbit and LOTR.  The Tolkein Estate has vowed to NEVER sell rights to any of their IP.  Turbine has a deal with Tolkein Enterprises for LOTRO.  They always have had rights to both The Hobbit and LOTR as source material.  This announcement is just that that deal has been extended.  Nothing has been added to the original deal.

Turbine never has had rights to The Silmarillion, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, The History of Middle Earth, etc.  They probably never will get those rights. 

LOTRO's timeline deals exclusively with LOTR, but makes reference to things that happened in The Hobbit.  Any content mentioned solely in another source cannot be referenced.  For example, it was mentioned in LOTR that there were five wizards.  LOTRO has references to five wizards.  Two of the wizards, Allatar and Pallando, were not mentioned by name in The Hobbit or LOTR, so their names do not appear in LOTRO.

Middle Earth Online also was set to take place in the LOTR timeline.  It would be impossible for it to have been earlier or later than the end of the Third Age, as The Tolkein Estate owns the other IP and they won't let it out.

Originally posted by Shogoo

 LoTR 2 Hmmm sounds like AC 2 LOL Surprised the Masses still play the game as it should be named Lord of the Spammers.... 

It's true it was really bad but since the last update to report spammers, I have seen ZERO SPAMMING going on.  I never even get spam mails in game for gold anymore.  I'm lovin it

NO MORE SPAM in LOTRO  so good job Turbine.  [If anyone has seen spam, just report it... but I really have not so... not sure if there is at all anymore.]

Originally posted by DeaconX

 

Originally posted by Shogoo

 LoTR 2 Hmmm sounds like AC 2 LOL Surprised the Masses still play the game as it should be named Lord of the Spammers.... 

It's true it was really bad but since the last update to report spammers, I have seen ZERO SPAMMING going on.  I never even get spam mails in game for gold anymore.  I'm lovin it

 

NO MORE SPAM in LOTRO  so good job Turbine.  [If anyone has seen spam, just report it... but I really have not so... not sure if there is at all anymore.]

Gold sellers and Power leveler spammers are actually a sign that a game is doing well. Not that I like them :D

Originally posted by sactoking

 

The confusing part for non-fans (and even fans) is this:  the intellectual property that comprises Middle Earth is owned by TWO separate entities.  Tolkein Enterprises (aka the Saul Zaentz Company) owns the rights to The Hobbit and the three books of The Lord of the Rings.  The Tolkein Estate (basically, Tolkein's family) owns ALL OTHER IP rights. 

 

Tolkein Enterprises has no qualms about selling the rights to The Hobbit and LOTR.  The Tolkein Estate has vowed to NEVER sell rights to any of their IP.  Turbine has a deal with Tolkein Enterprises for LOTRO.  They always have had rights to both The Hobbit and LOTR as source material.  This announcement is just that that deal has been extended.  Nothing has been added to the original deal.

Turbine never has had rights to The Silmarillion, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, The History of Middle Earth, etc.  They probably never will get those rights. 

 

LOTRO's timeline deals exclusively with LOTR, but makes reference to things that happened in The Hobbit.  Any content mentioned solely in another source cannot be referenced.  For example, it was mentioned in LOTR that there were five wizards.  LOTRO has references to five wizards.  Two of the wizards, Allatar and Pallando, were not mentioned by name in The Hobbit or LOTR, so their names do not appear in LOTRO.

Middle Earth Online also was set to take place in the LOTR timeline.  It would be impossible for it to have been earlier or later than the end of the Third Age, as The Tolkein Estate owns the other IP and they won't let it out.

 

Thanks. For good explanation.

I always said Turbine has its hands tied by the IP , and they are doing best they can to overcome this.

This is a clear sign on how successful the game is, with plans to keep up and running well into the decade, this is awesome news. I have a feeling this will be the first game with a "planned" engine upgrade around 2009/2010 ....

This is good news for Turbine.

This is a great family style beginners game. It is easy to pick up, not too challenging, and has been made easier with tons' of solo quests. If they could put this on the Wii it would be a major hit around the world...Dad, Mom, Son, Daughter and even Grandpa and Grandma now have their own MMO to call home..

Thanks guys

Gratz to Turbine.  Don't play the game myself but it's good to see they've treated the Tolkien IP with enough respect to earn them an extension to the rights.   We've seen too many games, MMORPGs and otherwise, who just use the license as a cheap way to bring in customers instead of being true to the IP.

That's good news. Turbine now will have more "freedom" to experiment with different interaction models in Lotro, like  allowing the monsters get out of their realm for a while.

Our continuous presence in the pvp area will inevitably lead into a more challenging model even for a couple of hours per week.

Beware of Wargs and ... congratulations Turbie!

Originally posted by Vagelisp

That's good news. Turbine now will have more "freedom" to experiment with different interaction models in Lotro, like  allowing the monsters get out of their realm for a while...

Yeah, if I were you I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

First off gotta sactoking for the good breakdown on the rights..

But basically this just all but guarantees that there will be a paid expansion that will add a lot more to the game. Which is an entirely good thing IMHO