Video Gaming News - April 2003
Los Angeles, CA (April 25, 2003) - Vivendi Universal Games, Inc. (VU
Games) announced today that it has entered into a production agreement with
Surreal Software to develop The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard, an
action-adventure game for the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox. As part of VU Games’
long-term agreement with Tolkien Enterprises to create interactive entertainment
based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic, “The Lord of the Rings,” the title is scheduled
for release in fall 2003.
From Vivendi Universal:
The game’s title derives from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original subtitle for the
first part of this segment of “The Lord of the Rings” story and is spoken in the
books by Gandalf the wizard who describes Saruman’s terrible betrayal saying:
"Nothing that we have endured of late has seemed so grievous as the treason of
Isengard." By utilizing the author’s original title, the game promotes Tolkien’s
vision and supports VU Games’ license to create official games based on
Tolkien’s literary works.
The game will recreate the narrative events of Tolkien’s second installment
of the epic in which Frodo continues his quest to destroy the infamous One Ring
of Power while far away his friends face the onslaught of Saruman’s foul armies.
Players will control multiple characters, including Men, Dwarves, Elves and
other allies, and will alternate among gameplay styles, including melee combat
and aggressive sneak attacks, to battle enemies and explore expansive locations
beloved by Tolkien fans and absent from many other adaptations of Tolkien’s
work.
“Surreal’s technical expertise, garnered from their experience developing the
critically acclaimed Drakan games, coupled with their passionate understanding
of Tolkien’s world will result in a cutting-edge game,” said Jim Wilson, EVP
Product Development, VU Games. “The combination of intelligent enemy A.I. and an
advanced combat system will deepen the Middle-earth experience for
action-adventure gamers and Tolkien fans.”
« Back to last page · News Page »
 | 
