BFME 2 for Xbox 360 Makes Next-Gen Debut at iGames
Media Alert:
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 Makes Its Next-Gen Debut at iGames Events Sponsored by AXE, the Maker of Guys Grooming Products
WHAT:
After hosting launch campaigns for the blockbuster original game and its best-selling sequel, both for the PC, leading game center organization iGames will host the next-generation launch party to celebrate the release of EA's The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360.
WHEN:
Sponsored by AXE, the maker of guys grooming products, the exclusive events kick off with a one-day premiere, Saturday, July 22, followed by an expanded, 2-week showcase, July 24-August 6, allowing fans of the popular franchise to check out its next-gen debut.
WHERE:
Premiere: 10 select iGames member centers across North America, including Canada and Mexico.
Showcase: Over 40 additional iGames member centers.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
Prizes, Prizes, Prizes: The highlight of the premiere will be special launch competitions featuring free goodies courtesy of AXE.
ABOUT THE GAME:
Based on the PC version of the same name, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 will bring players into the heart of Middle-earth to live the battles seen in the blockbuster New Line Cinema films and classic J.R.R. Tolkien literary fiction. The game boasts a new and intuitive console-specific control scheme that will allow novice players to enjoy all the epic battles of Middle-earth right from their living room couch.
Key Features
Command the most epic battles of Middle-earth from your living room couch. Directly control and manage hundreds of units and engage in intense, action-packed real-time battles.
Challenge friends online and battle it out via Xbox LIVE®. The game features exclusive new multiplayer games including King of the Hill, Capture and Hold, and Hero versus Hero.
First The Lord of the Rings strategy game for any console system and first game in The Lord of the Rings series for the Xbox 360.
New and intuitive console-specific control scheme that makes it possible to experience and enjoy the strategy genre on the Xbox 360.
Customize fortresses or choose to build anywhere! Craft your own
landmark castle and create signature units including naval ships or Elven and Dwarven heroes.
Hugo Weaving reprises his role as Lord Elrond lending his voice and likeness to the game. Weaving offers the game's overarching tone by guiding players in and out of each good and evil mission within the single player campaigns.
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth for Xbox 360 is rated "T" for "Teen" and carries an MSRP of $59.95. For more information, visit the game's official site at www.bfme2.ea.com. For a complete list of iGames game centers hosting the these events as well as details on other upcoming iGames events, including signup information, visit www.igames.org or contact the iGames events team at events@igames.org.
About iGames
iGames, Inc. offers a wide range of services to help independent and franchised game centers. iGames' mission is to promote and develop the growth of the game center industry. Its services unite game centers with the goal of establishing them as the driving force enabling the interactive entertainment industry to become the number one form of entertainment around the world. iGames has established strong relationships with industry leaders to provide a wide variety of products, services and programs to member game centers and gamers including software licensing, hardware discounts, exclusive game premieres, tournaments, and game nights. Today the company counts well over 500 centers and 1.2 million gamers, initiating and co-organizing more than 200 events a year. To learn more about iGames, go to www.igames.org.
About The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II
Developed at EA's Los Angeles (EALA) studio under the EA brand, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II includes all new content from J.R.R. Tolkien's original fiction, and allows the player to delve deeper than ever before and engage in new battles that go beyond the award-winning movie trilogy. The development team at EALA have brought The Lord of the Rings world to life in accordance with an agreement with The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises that grants EA the rights to develop games based on the books, in addition to a separate agreement that allows for games based on the New Line Cinema films. Available both for the PC and the Xbox 360.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About New Line Cinema Corporation
Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien's literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien's works for almost 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All The Lord of the Rings content other than content from the New Line trilogy of The Lord of The Rings films ® 2006 The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises ("SZC"). All Rights Reserved. The Lord of the Rings, and the names of the characters, events, items, and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SZC under license. All content from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy ® MMVI New Line Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved. Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Media Contact:
Bill Lessard/iGames/wlessard@igames.org/914.476.6089
Brooke Cahalane/EALA/bcahalane@ea.com/310.754.7312