Though I think your points seem valid, I am not so sure about conclusion. European distributors are quite advanced in the process of translating the game to local languages. I doubt any reasonable publisher would agree to sign an agreement regarding unfinished product. So I keep my fingers crossed on the april release date.

What concerns me though is total lack of new info about the game . And I crave information about:

1. Other spheres - all other LCG were initially released with 4 factions with 2 additional to come later. What are they and how will they integrate into game?

2. Chapterpacks - new adventurers will be released... but devil hides in details. What will be card distribution? How will they blend with starter and other adventures? There is no need for 3 copies of each quest card or quest item, or hero... how will that be solved?

3. Licence - when does it expire - other CCG regarding LotR ceased after the licence expired.

I wonder why FFG haven't bought the licence from WB to make this game official and using the design of LoTR movies?

ffgfan said:

Why? So they can put out a piece of garbage with movie stills or horrible art aping the movies?

Thankfully, that is not in their license!

Same goes for Cubicle-7's license for The One Ring RPG. It uses all original art, only material from the Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and their appendixes.

Other than wisdom, a reason they probably opted not to go that route is the licensing fees are probably even higher. Likely having to pay royalties to both Tolkien Enterprises & Peter Jackson.

ffgfan said:

I am glad they didn't do that. Decipher already did a movie version ccg. I'd rather have really good art work. Plus the movies don't cover every place and person in the books so you are limited to what cards you can put out.

UPDATE: It is now posted as at the printers on the 'upcoming' page.

Ah you beat me to it! Woo hoo! finally! it's still listed as winter 10 though... i gues they forgot to update that!

Stalkingwolf said:

Like good ol' Pukel Land!

I had a good time playing the Decipher version. It was a decent enough game. The movie stills sometimes made for some hilarious gamer nerd riffing sequences. I look back on it fondly.... But I'm so ready for the new hotness.

Sky said:

I doubt this info will be released until it expires, or just before it expires. However FFG should have plans to have produced a reasonably "complete" game within the initial licence period + plans to expand further if they can (& want to) renew for a further period.

Hopefuly it will run for many years.

I just read the following info from this site today.

http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/19375.html

It looks like Games Workshop has bought the rights from WB for six more years.

radioboyeric said:

Wiz Kids also just signed a deal with WB to make miniatures and boardgames with the movie licenses...

wizkidsgames.com/blog/2011/01/18/two-games-to-rule-them-all/

Miniature market now has the Core Set up for Pre Order

Finally...the core set is "at the printer"!!! Now I have to check back here more often...

Sly said:

It also says "Expected Winter '10," so I'm not too convinced there's anything but guesswork going on concerning this game.

It's been updated to shipping.

spirit said:

Are you sure mate?I still see it as on the boat.

Me too, on the boat.

Muttermuttermutter. My bad Maybe wishful thinking seeing what I wanted to see.

On the boat! Everyone, let's swim out therepush the boat, make it go a little faster!

Sorry, I'm super excited to have this game in hand. And I only just read about it for the first time the day before yesterday. I can't imagine what you folks who have been waiting for seven months are going through.

Maybe we can hitch up some sharks to pull the boat along?

DrNate said:

Yeah, it's been torture... kind of like a long hard slog to Mt. Doom.