Lord of the Rings: War in the North announced @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on March 18, 2010

News: One Ring to Rule Them All... but two LOTR games in development.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has used this year to announce a slew of new projects based on DC Comics characters and the company's film portfolio. Now, you can add another new game to the pile as WBIE has confirmed that Lord of the Rings: War in the North will be released on the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011.

War in the North will be an action RPG developed by Snowblind Studios, the team behind Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and the Champions of Norrath series, and the first Lord of the Rings game to be rated M For Mature. Based on plotlines found in the books and the films, this latest LOTR game will include familiar battles and original storylines.

?In The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Snowblind will deliver an action RPG for core gamers featuring authentic narrative and environmental locations from J.R.R. Tolkien's original The Lord of the Rings,? said Ryan Geithman, Founder and Studio Head of Snowblind Studios. ?This game is a natural evolution of the acclaimed RPG gameplay that Snowblind has consistently delivered over the past years. Players and fans will experience an innovative approach to online co-op gameplay, woven throughout every facet of the game in a way that only Snowblind can deliver.?

War in the North will include online co-op play for up to three players as they form their own Fellowship to fight Sauron's forces in the North with "extensive character customization and development, upgradeable weapons, skills and special abilities."

The game's official website is now open at WarintheNorth.com complete with an announcement teaser trailer and word that a first look at the game will appear in the May 2010 issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine.

We'll have more soon.