Gray is White - the new LOTR RPG

by Alan Rose { Jul 14th 2006 at 9:00AM }

Project Gray Company revealed to be LOTR: The White Council

Just before its summer press event, Electronic Arts officially unveiled Lord of the Rings: The White Council, the next gen RPG formerly known as Project Gray Company. Scheduled to ship at the end of 2007, White Council features an original storyline based on J.R.R. Tolkien's literary works, and will include an open-ended world with gameplay elements from previous LOTR console titles.

At the beginning of the year, EA developer Jim Norwood confirmed the existence of a new LOTR RPG -- and even dropped the name, "The White Council". After the game's web site launched in April, keen observers may have also noticed that many members of The Return of the King and The Third Age design teams were on board with Gray Company. It was just a matter of putting two and two together, although many of us still missed the connection (like an M. Night Shyamalan flick). A new introduction on White Council's web site explains: "We really wanted to get the web site up and running so we could start talking with everyone about what makes a cool RPG." Hopefully, you've all given EA some good feedback on constructing the ultimate RPG before they apply the Tolkien license.

Tags: ea games, electronic arts, elrond, galadriel, gandalf, lord of the rings, lotr, project gray company, saruman, the white council

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Amos @ Jul 14th 2006 9:29AM

Wait a minute...last I knew, EA only had rights to make games based off of the movies, and the license for the books was held by another comapny. Hmmm...

patrick @ Jul 14th 2006 9:38AM

I don't understand why everyone hates M. Night Shyamalan. Was the Village really THAT bad?

Jdoki @ Jul 14th 2006 10:08AM

@ #1

I believe EA now has rights to the lot... that's why Battle for Middle Earth 2 also has bits not from the films.

I have high hopes for this one if they take their time and EA doesn't rush it out the door.

Sounds like Oblivion but in the LotR world - potentially fantastic. You can never have too many open ended RPGs!

Captain Obvious @ Jul 14th 2006 10:22AM

@patrick

I thought the Village was his finest film. It is one of the best movies I have seen in the last fifteen years. But I recognize that I am not in the majority on this one, and I'm fine with that. 'Cuz the majority is wrong!

Anyway, woohoo about this game. I can't wait for it. I'm not really a RTS person (mainly because I suck at them), so the BfME games don't appeal to me. This should be a hoot.

Thomas Crymes @ Jul 14th 2006 10:55AM

I mean there are ideas, and there are ideas. And then something comes out so refreshing that it resets your palate and forces you to see a new and wondrous world through pure, hateless eyes.

EA has tried beat-em ups and RTS games based on Lord of the Rings, but after soul searching, they came up with a wholly original and unexpected idea: A Lord of the Rings RPG.

There will be Elves and Orcs, Trolls and Wizards. And you will be able to wander a fantastical land in search of lost treasures. Thank you EA. You've broke the mold and forged ahead where others dare not go. I have to sit down lest this flood of new information cause me to become light-headed.

What a rush!

Hexx @ Jul 14th 2006 12:00PM

"We really wanted to get the web site up and running so we could start talking with everyone about what makes a cool RPG."

Hmm... seems to me like they already nailed that on the head with the Third Age game. *sarcasm* hopefully they learned what NOT to do (just look at the Third Age and there is your list)

T-Bag @ Jul 14th 2006 1:51PM

Ah ****... I was anticipating this game and all, but now that it's based on LOTR I'm completely disappointed. EA, make up your own shit or die.

Nathan @ Jul 14th 2006 2:00PM

M. Night Shymalan films vary in quality. They're all pretty decent the first time you see them, and some remain good afterwards (The Sixth Sense). However, sometimes on the second viewing you realize that the movie was filled with nonsensical plotholes (Signs) such as aliens not being able to open a door and invading a planet filled 2/3 of the way with their one weakness (water).

Unidentified creature @ Jul 14th 2006 3:24PM

Does it mention a console anywhere? I need to know if I should be excited of terrified.

Anyway, if it turns out to be even slightly similar to The Third Age, then they might just have a million seller on their hands. That game was simply one of the best RPGs of all time, and it could almost be considered one of the few masterpiece movie games too.
Also, I just had a checkup, and they found that I'm 12'13" tall, and weigh 10 pounds. Would anyone be interested in buying the Golden Gate Bridge from me? I have it up on eBay.