Originally posted by Slaggg The idea for a MMO based in Middle-Earth has been picked up and subsequently dropped by several different developers. The current iteration has itself gone through two different changes. The single largest cause of all of so called delay has come from one source: The Tolkien Estate. The Estate holds ALL rights to all of Tolkien's works, and is very quick to pull the plug on a project that doesn't meet to the Estate's standards. Think about that for a little bit please, before going off half-cocked.
this is highly incorrect. in fact, the Tolkien Estate has nothing to do with this project, and does not own the rights to either The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, the two sources being used for this game. Tolkien sold the rights in 1968 to United Artists, who sold them to saul zaentz, who set up Tolkien Enterprises for the purpose of licensing those rights.
of course, while Tolkien Enterprises does filter the material going into the game, they are far from exacting (and are not the cause for the numerous delays) - proof of this lies in games like The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, which wantonly disregarded the lore in just about every way.
instead, it has suffered from problems like mass firings, abandonment, buy out, and redos of just about everything. just in the last year the entire class system was overhauled, the virtue-vice system was thrown out, the general graphics were redone and enhanced, and a number of other things that haven't even been fully announced yet. most pertinent, though, seems to be the apparent shift from the more 'sandbox' style of MEO to the more adventurous, combat-oriented narrative style of LotRO.
I can't understand why, that all people that comes into this LOTRO forum make a tread called:
I'm not gonna play this game
- Then my answer is: Fuck ya! If you don't want to play this game, fine! But don't make so foolish treads, cuz there are actually some guys out there, who wants to play LOTRO - so keep you fucking buisness to ya self dude!
- Zaizas
Playin': Nothing Played: EverQuest EverQuest II World of Warcraft
Originally posted by Slaggg At the risk of starting a pissing contest here, I've got to say you are the one in the wrong. Tolkien Enterprises only owns the film and merchandising rights. The Tolkien Estate still maintains the rights to Tolkien's literary works, which LOTRO is based upon. Therefore, any licensing for LOTRO is done through, and with the full cooperation and involvement with, The Tolkien Estate.
please do note what you said: that Tolkien Enterprises owns the merchandising rights. it is Tolkien Enterprises who licenses out the characters, setting, and story of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, not the Tolkien Estate. the Tolkien Estate does not even support or endorse these ventures - hence why Christopher issued statements that the Tolkien Estate was in no way affiliated with the movies, and why he will not license nor sell the rights to any of Tolkien's other works like The Silmarillion.
and here, per Turbine's own CEO Jeff Anderson, is undeniable proof that they have the license from Tolkien Enterprises not the Tolkien estate: link. or perhaps you would prefer the LotRO community manager's brief explanation of the situation here.
Comments
of course, while Tolkien Enterprises does filter the material going into the game, they are far from exacting (and are not the cause for the numerous delays) - proof of this lies in games like The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, which wantonly disregarded the lore in just about every way.
instead, it has suffered from problems like mass firings, abandonment, buy out, and redos of just about everything. just in the last year the entire class system was overhauled, the virtue-vice system was thrown out, the general graphics were redone and enhanced, and a number of other things that haven't even been fully announced yet. most pertinent, though, seems to be the apparent shift from the more 'sandbox' style of MEO to the more adventurous, combat-oriented narrative style of LotRO.
I can't understand why, that all people that comes into this LOTRO forum make a tread called:
I'm not gonna play this game
- Then my answer is: Fuck ya! If you don't want to play this game, fine! But don't make so foolish treads, cuz there are actually some guys out there, who wants to play LOTRO - so keep you fucking buisness to ya self dude!
- Zaizas
Playin': Nothing
Played: EverQuest
EverQuest II
World of Warcraft
"First you wanna kill me, now you wanna kiss me...Blow."--Ash, "Army of Darkness"
and here, per Turbine's own CEO Jeff Anderson, is undeniable proof that they have the license from Tolkien Enterprises not the Tolkien estate: link. or perhaps you would prefer the LotRO community manager's brief explanation of the situation here.
LoTRO is based on the books that came out decades ago, not the movies (that were based on the books).
You know...those things made of paper with print on them?
Joined 2004 - I can't believe I've been a MMORPG.com member for 20 years! Get off my lawn!