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Roz
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« on: July 01, 2004, 09:04:56 AM » |
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The Lord of the Rings™ Newsletter: JUNE 2004
An Interview with The Lord of the Rings™, The Third Age™ Executive Producer Steve Gray.
EAGAMES: Can you tell us what The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age is?
Steve: The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age is a new role-playing game (RPG) that brings the story of all three of The Lord of the Rings films to life. You play as a group of characters that are inspired from the films. Those characters live in the world of the films, interact with the characters of the films and experience the events of the films. The Third Age is in development for all three consoles and is scheduled to ship this November.
EAGAMES: Very cool, how long has the game benn in development?
Steve: We’ve been thinking about building an RPG for The Lord of the Rings since we started on The Lord of the Rings™; The Two Towers™. Serious development didn’t start until we were building The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King™... and honestly, I’ve been thinking about building a The Lord of the Rings RPG game for at least 10 years – I just never had the chance to do it until now.
EAGAMES: Wow, a dream realized... Ok, are the encounters in The Third Age random encounters as in the Final Fantasy games? Or is everything scripted ahead of time?
Steve: There are both authored and random encounters. Many of the encounters you will be able to see in advance, however there will be times when you are ambushed by encounters – just as you would logically be in some of the environments.
,br> EAGAMES: In previous Electronic Arts The Lord of the rings games, there were voiceover's from all of the original actors, will this tadition continue?
Steve: We’re using voiceover from the film actors as well as motion capture data from the stunt doubles used in the films for our fighting animations. As with our previous The Lord of the Rings games, there’s a strong partnership with the New Line Cinema so that we start with the same ‘blueprint’ of Middle-earth from an asset standpoint.
EAGAMES: The Lord of the Rings, The Third Ages gameplay (more specifically the battle system) is very uncommon for an American developer, how did you draw inspiration for the game?
Steve: I worked at Square during the Playstaion days where I was the Director of Parasite Eve and also worked on Final Fantasy VII. I am very much a fan of those types of games and you can definitely expect to see the same type of fantastic graphics and special effects that you experience in the Final Fantasy games.
EAGAMES: Very cool to hear that you're familiar with the genre. How many different weapons, armor, and items are in the game? Are there unique items specific to the characters? Are you focusing on replay ability?
Steve: There are so many different types of weapons, armour and items I don’t even know where to begin to describe them. There will absolutely be unique items and those items will often come with special abilities attached to them. Replay value is extremely important to us and we are working hard to make sure that people will want to experience The Lord of the Rings, The Third Age again and again.
EAGAMES: Ok, Steve, one last question. RPGs are known to be quite long, how long do you think it will take for the average gamer to finish the game?
Steve: We haven’t set a specific length for the game, but as someone who worked at Square and also as a huge fan of this style of RPG I know how long the game needs to be. We will make sure the players will not be disappointed by a short game.
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Why's all the tea always gone?
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savage727
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« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2004, 02:01:00 PM » |
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All I can say is WOW!!  I am looking forward to this one! |
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savage727
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« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2004, 10:18:09 PM » |
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Hey Ben: How are you doing, are you having fun?  |
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savage727
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« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2004, 02:04:38 AM » |
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Great to see you back on The Forum!! When does school start for you over in England? |
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savage727
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« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2004, 05:33:43 AM » |
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What are you interested in Ben? What do you like doing that maybe you can turn into a career someday?
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Roz
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« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2004, 02:52:38 PM » |
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Would you really like to own a card business? I think it can be a bit boom and bust like! During times of economic prosperity such as at the moment people feel they can spend money on more "trivial" things like lithographs and autograph cards, but I am sure that during periods of country-wide recession everyone's priorities change and frivolous purchases are fewer and further between! I suppose if you did own a card place you'd just have to be prepared for the bad times! Oh and deal internationally so when the Brits are broke - Milk the Yanks   |
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savage727
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« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2004, 03:36:24 PM » |
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Milk the Yanks! That's not nice Roz!  |
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Roz
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« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2004, 03:40:09 PM » |
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I was clearly kidding  the phrasiology was poor but it's true that recessions are not always simultaneous! We feel like we get milked by Yank product prices daily... hmm let me buy a box of Topps cards - oh no - they are 2x as much here than in the states! Hmm I know, I'll buy some skates.. oh no they are 2x as much here than in the States! Hmm I think I'll buy a DVD - hmmm this is all out of date and 2 times as much as in the states... .... you get the picture! |
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savage727
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« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2004, 03:45:27 PM » |
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Hey Roz: We have plenty of land here to settle in so come on over and enjoy yourself and get access to the latest and greatest items at way below high foreign prices! Be the first on your block to do so! Gee I sound like a used car salesman!! |
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Roz
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« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2004, 03:53:43 PM » |
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Yeah - is there space on the other side of your mountain? I will have to insist on some concrete/smooth surfaces to skate on! And everyone would think I was posh because of my accent hee hee! |
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savage727
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« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2004, 07:06:25 PM » |
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Heck yes there is space! And good skating areas to boot! You would definately be a hit here with your accent! |
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savage727
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« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2004, 11:21:41 PM » |
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Ok folks this game is out. Does anyone have it yet? I saw it in the store today and the demo looked great!
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MakTheYak
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« Reply #15 on: November 09, 2004, 12:38:59 AM » |
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I've read it's supposed to be basically Final Fantasy with LOTR characters. And while it's a rip off of Final Fantasy, final fantasy is such a heralded (series of) game(s) that it can only be a good thing!
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"Who are you calling a tiny bug that escapes the wrath of a shoe because he's so small that he fits in the grooves and can't get squashed?"
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Goofyjas
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« Reply #16 on: November 09, 2004, 03:43:19 AM » |
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I have it, playing it. Never played FF games. was to busy playing EQ online. Anway it is a good game, I think the ROTK was a better game but this is longer, a little more thinking then just hack and slash. I am stuck in helms deep, trolls keep killing me  yes trolls... and they cheat, 12 turns to your one Anyway, the storyline is sorta cool, your first guy you get berethor or whatever is looking for boromir, then as you go on you pick up an elf she is trying to warn Lady Galadriel about the incoming orcs, then you meet up with a ranger of the dunadien ( i spelled that wrong) and a dwarf then you go into moria to help gandalf battle the Balrog ( OH BOY!! ) then you work your way and get a rohan woman to help and finally another guy and you get to battle Grima which is nice. In helms deep you get to help legolas.. guess what? HE DOESNT GET TO USE A BOW, someone wasnt watching the movie then you help gimli ( my god if he misses as much in the movie as he does in the game you would have needed all the dwarfs in the hobbit) then you help aragorn and onward I cant say anythin gabout it as i cant get past it on hard mode Overall, good game, I have alot of played time sinc emy stupid internet is down at home Hope that doesnt ruin it for some people but i do like the fact you finally get to battle grima, the balrog ect i will post updates if i can play some more |
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savage727
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« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2004, 11:36:20 AM » |
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Hi Jason: Thanks for the update. Man somebody sure goofed not having Legolas using his bow - Don't tell FTY!! Trolls at Helm's Deep? Sounds like alternate history to me! They have 12 shots at you to your one at them! No wonder you don't last too long in battle against them! And Gimli missing - that's unheard of!! Please keep us appraised of your progress. |
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ferdinand_the_yak
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« Reply #18 on: November 09, 2004, 11:48:39 AM » |
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RPGs are not my thing... but this sounds so tempting! As soon as my exams finish, I will have to take a look at it! And as for Legolas not using his bow... how could they  I am shocked  |
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savage727
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« Reply #19 on: November 10, 2004, 12:48:24 PM » |
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Hey Jason:
Any luck getting past that Troll at Helm's Deep yet? Where are you fighting him - inside the fortress or outside? Can you do any ranged attacks on him or do you have to slug it out toe to toe?
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