The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II

ALL OF MIDDLE-EARTH...

AT YOUR COMMAND

[captions]

Devastating Power at Your Control

An easy-to-use interface allows you to completely control the massive armies of Middle-earth.

The Glory of Middle-earth in HD

Relive the legendary battles from the books and films in breathtaking cinematic detail that takes full advantage of Xbox 360's HD capabilities.

The War Rages Online*

Combat friends and conquer Middle-earth with four exclusive multiplayer options.

*registration and subscription required to access online features

Source:

Back of Keep Case - Xbox 360 (US)

EA ANNOUNCES HUGO WEAVING AS THE VOICE OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II

**LOTR Film Trilogy Talent on Board in the Latest Edition in LOTR Game Series

Chertsey, UK November 10, 2005** – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Hugo Weaving will expand his involvement with The Lord of the Rings™ franchise as he assumes the role of lead voiceover talent in the highly anticipated video game sequel The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™ II. Additionally, acclaimed concept artist John Howe of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is on board to design entirely new creatures and locations of Middle-earth.

Hugo Weaving has a successful career in film, television, and theater. He has performed in such memorable roles as Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy and Lord Elrond in New Line Cinema's critically acclaimed The Lord of the Rings trilogy. His portrayal of Elrond, the Elven leader, is regarded by fans as one of the greatest fantasy heroes of all time. With each new film, television, or theatrical role, Weaving continues to surpass audience expectations and remains one of the most versatile performers working today.

The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II notable talent roster also includes John Howe who will lend his talent as master Middle-earth concept artist. John Howe's role will consist primarily of designing concepts for the dragons of Middle-earth adding authentic visuals to some of the game's cinematic environments.

"We are delighted to have Hugo Weaving as the voice of Battle for Middle-earth II," said Mike Verdu, Executive Producer at EALA. "Mr. Weaving was brilliantly cast as the great Elven leader Elrond in the film trilogy and now his voice will help bring the game story and the world of Middle-earth to life for everyone who plays Battle for Middle-earth II. I am also very excited to be working with John Howe who will help us visualize key creatures within the game!"

Weaving was happy to reprise the role of Elrond. During his voiceover session he noted, "Generally with Lord of the Rings, no one ever really says goodbye to it because it seems that you were always coming back," he explained. "I always find voice work really fascinating because you are working on one element of your make up as an actor -- focusing more intently on one part of your toolbox if you like -- in a way so everything seems to go into producing that vocal effect. It really isn't just an effect, because it actually comes from a source which is a true continuation of that character."

As the voice of The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II, Weaving will create the game's overarching tone by guiding players in and out of each good and evil mission within the single player campaigns. Additionally, this real time strategy title will feature character likenesses of Lord Elrond, reprising his role and fighting battles never before seen in the movies.

Developed at the EA Los Angeles studio, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Real-time Strategy (RTS) game, The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™. Expanding on The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth, the newest The Lord of the Rings PC title will introduce players to depths of the fiction never before explored by EA, 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.

For more information about The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II please visit: www.bfme2.ea.com.

Source:

Press release (10th November 2005)

EA ANNOUNCES THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II FOR THE XBOX 360

**Players Can Now Command the Epic Battles of Middle-earth from Their Living Room Couch

Chertsey, UK., January 13, 2006** – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that the highly anticipated PC game, The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™ II will make its exclusive console debut when it ships in Summer 2006 on the Xbox 360™. Players can now command epic Middle-earth battles presented in spectacular high-definition from the comfort of their very own couch. To add to the intensity of the experience, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 is the first game in The Lord of the Rings™ series that will be playable over Xbox LIVE™*. Players will be able to challenge friends online and engage in intense, action-packed real-time battles.

"Living these cinematic battles in high-definition with stunning surround sound, all from the comfort of your living room couch on the Xbox 360, is an extraordinary experience," said Louis Castle, VP of Creative Development at EALA. "Adding the ability to battle it out with friends via Xbox LIVE is also really exciting."

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 the game's signature strategy gameplay while giving expert players the flexibility needed to engage in a deeply complex strategy experience. Players will directly control hundreds of units in an attempt to defeat enemy armies, conquer new lands, and seal the fate of Middle-earth.

Developed at EA's Los Angeles studio, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 offers players a new depth of The Lord of the Rings fiction never before explored in an EA console game. The game makers 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.

The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 has not yet been rated by PEGI and the PC version is rated 12+ by PEGI. For more information about either game, please visit: www.eagames.co.uk/thelordoftherings. For information about all of EA's games, please visit EA's press site at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press

*Online play requires Internet Connection. Xbox Live online play also requires subscription to the Xbox Live service.

Source:

Press release (13th January 2006)

iGames Draws Its Sword With Exclusive Launch Events For EA's The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II

**Leading Game Center Organization to Host Premiere, Showcase and Ladder for Highly Anticipated PC Sequel

MOUNTAIN VIEW and REDWOOD CITY, CA, March 16, 2006** - iGames, the world's leading game center organization, today announced an exclusive, two-week launch program for Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™ II, the highly anticipated real time strategy PC sequel to one of 2004's most successful and critically acclaimed holiday releases, which hit stores on March 2, 2006.

Sponsored by NVIDIA/EVGA, the battle began with a one-day premiere on March 11, 2006 followed by a two-week showcase lasting from March 13, 2006 through March 26, 2006 allowing gamers one free hour to sample the game at their leisure. In addition, the game will be featured at Wednesdays' game nights, which include a ladder competition, held at participating game centers from April 12, 2006 through July 5, 2006.

iGames recently supported The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II with a month long beta program for the game's multiplayer and provided last year's successful support of the series' original title. The campaign for The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II will be the culmination of months of excitement and anticipation, with more than 100 centers across North America hosting events where prizes will include 5 EVGA 7800 GeForce GT graphics cards, along with 500 limited-edition The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II t-shirts.

"We are excited to be working with EA on the second installment of such a successful, Triple-A franchise," said Mark Nielsen, Executive Director of iGames. "With our public hosting of the beta and the anticipation it has created, we know that this program, like the game itself, will be even more successful than the original."

"iGames reaches our core demographic of both hardcore gamers and casual players who love the communal aspect of the series," said Mike Verdu, Executive Producer at EA Los Angeles. "The game combines a rich and wonderful world with innovations in real-time strategy game play to deliver the complete Middle-earth experience. This is the Middle-earth you've never seen and iGames support via its unique network of centers will be invaluable."

In The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II, players wage war in the Northern regions of Middle-earth where they can choose to assume command of the most storied civilizations in all of Middle-earth history - the Elven and Dwarven armies - or fight on the side of Evil with heroes and creatures that have never been seen in The Lord of the RingsT films. Reprising his role as Lord Elrond, Hugo Weaving lends his voice to the game, helping to set the scene and tone for each mission.

Players can customize their experience by creating their own hero and building all new customized RTS units. Build landmark castles with fully customizable and upgradeable fortresses and walls or control the entire war with War of the Ring Mode; a high level "Risk" style meta-game on the Living World Map with all new strategic AI.

Source:

Press release (16th March 2006)

Lord of the Rings Battle For Middle Earth II Fact Sheet

The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™ II for the Xbox 360™

Command the epic battles of Middle-earth™ from your living room couch in The Lord of the Rings™, The Battle for Middle-earth™ II for the Xbox 360™. The highly anticipated PC game will make its exclusive console debut when it ships in Summer 2006! To add to the intensity of the experience, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 is the first game in The Lord of the Rings™ series that will be playable over Xbox LIVE™*. Challenge friends online and engage in intense, action-packed real-time battles.

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 the game's signature strategy gameplay while giving expert players the flexibility needed to engage in a deeply complex strategy experience. Directly control hundreds of units in an attempt to defeat enemy armies, conquer new lands, and seal the fate of Middle-earth. The Middle-earth you have never seen brought to life on the Xbox 360! The unification of the book and film rights have unlocked a world of Middle-earth – new races, places, heroes, and battles from the books and films are yours to command.
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.

*Online play requires Internet Connection. Xbox LIVE online play also requires subscription to the Xbox LIVE service.

Product Specifications

Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.

Developer: EA Los Angeles

Ship Date: Summer 2006

Category: Strategy

Source:

Press release - Xbox 360 (13th January 2006)