It has announced that Pandemic, creator of Mercenaries, is taking the helm on the newest Lord of the Rings video game in development, Lord of the Rings: Conquest. The title will supposedly play like Pandemic’s other blockbuster title, Star Wars: Battlefront, with a focus on large scale, cinematic battles. Pandemic has claimed that they are able to have over 150 characters on screen at any given time, which should go a long way towards giving the battles an epic feel.  If the screenshots are any indication I would guess that it would also have some similarities with Viking: Battle for Asguard, though I wish they would be willing to take the financial hit and release it with an M rating so LotR fans could get the game the have always wanted.

The title will feature eight player competitive play and four player co-operative play through two campaigns. Four versus four is far too small for the game to be taken seriously when it comes to competing with titles like Gears of War, but if the battlefield is completely filled with AI controlled orcs, goblins, and AT-ATs I think I would be able to forgive them. Four player co-op is also a selling point for me, and my guess would be that the two campaigns will be robust enough to justify a few plays through.

"Our experience creating massive, rich, action-packed games means that The Lord of the Rings: Conquest will give fans exactly what they want: full control of the blade, bow and magic to fight its epic battles any way they want - even if they choose to play from the evil side."

It is a surprise to hear that Peter Jackson isn’t involved in the title after his recent love affair with the gaming industry. Even though I am sure he is hard at work on his imaginary Halo title, I would have liked to see some indication of Jackson being on board with this game. At the very least the game would have some well directed cinematic in-between levels.

The game is due out this fall, which means Spring 2009. 

Related Articles: 

Mirror's Edge Gameplay Footage

Prototype Loses Co-op Play

New Prototype Screenshots Show Change