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View Full Version : EA Snags Vivendi's Lord of the Rings License

RainOfTerror
07-25-2005, 01:40 AM
EA announced today that it not only extended its previous LotR movie license deal with New Line Cinema, but it now also made an agreement with J.R.R. Tolkien to purchase the rights for using the characters and events only mentioned in the books, previously owned by Vivendi. Both licenses are now EA's until 2007. Read more details over at WorthPlaying (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=26922).

At the same time word broke out that EA is working on Battle for Middle Earth 2. A preview in the September issue of German magazine Gamestar reveals the first details (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=26915).
El Gato
07-25-2005, 04:13 AM
but it now also made an agreement with J.R.R. Tolkien to purchase the rights

Wow. I knew they were powerful, but necromancy?
eudaemon
07-25-2005, 05:20 AM
What does this mean for LotR Online?
Klade
07-25-2005, 06:23 AM
Is that one even still alive? If so they have had a deal previous to this so unless their contract was awful it won't effect them at all.
OUX
07-25-2005, 06:37 AM
Wow. I knew they were powerful, but necromancy?


Necromancy is nothin. I heard they were gonna buy the rights to Hell from Satan and make Dante's Inferno if the deal goes through they will be the Dark Masters of Hell until 2010. They will also get Bible sale royalties.
bait
07-25-2005, 06:44 AM
Since EA is incapable of an original idea, it's good to know they are willing to buy any that exist.
Xaerin
07-25-2005, 07:53 AM
So what does this even mean? Weren't EA already publishing LotR games before anyway? Is this just a business tactic to prevent anyone else making them?
motor
07-25-2005, 09:23 AM
So what does this even mean? Weren't EA already publishing LotR games before anyway? Is this just a business tactic to prevent anyone else making them?

It's much like EA buying the exclusive rights to the NFL. Now that they own the movie AND book rights, no one but them can make a lord of the rings game. It's just to block competition. Probably a good indicator for fans of the LOTR games that EA plans on making many more.
KNOTE
07-25-2005, 09:50 AM
LOTR Kart racing please.
mister_slim
07-25-2005, 10:18 AM
So what does this even mean? Weren't EA already publishing LotR games before anyway? Is this just a business tactic to prevent anyone else making them?
EA were sued for using characters and settings not in the movie in their games. Now they can use all of Middlearth in their games.

I noticed previews for one of EA's upcoming games mentioned they had characters not in the movies, so I thought this might be coming.
kickmybum
07-25-2005, 11:34 AM
At the same time word broke out that EA is working on Battle for Middle Earth 2. A preview in the September issue of German magazine Gamestar reveals the first details (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=26915) .

Now this is great news. Battle for Middle Earth was an absolute blast!
jwbxx
07-25-2005, 03:43 PM
The first BFME sucked and I expect the same from the 2nd.
Zeal
07-25-2005, 03:45 PM
EA's powers extend far beyond the grave, my friend. Think Wolfram & Heart.

Mwahahaha....