Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games have officially announced the next title in the LEGO series of games, LEGO: The Hobbit, and is scheduled for a release next year.
Based on the popular movie trilogy (J. R. R. Tolkien be praised), players will join Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield and company on their quest to the Dwarven Kingdom when the game arrives in 2014.
"We are thrilled to depict the characters and environments of Peter Jackson's Middle-earth in LEGO form with the LEGO The Hobbit videogame," said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. "Our family-friendly take on these thrilling adventures will have kids and parents playing and laughing together as they build and explore in LEGO Middle-earth."
The new game will be based on the first two films of The Hobbit trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the upcoming The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. Following the storyline, LEGO: The Hobbit will take players on quests throughout Middle-earth while they journey to Erebor.
The official press release further states: “In LEGO The Hobbit, kids and families will be able to take on the form of their favorite Hobbit characters, including Bilbo, Gandalf, and all of the Dwarves: Thorin, Fíli, Kíli, Óin, Glóin, Dwalin, Balin Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori and Ori. Each has his own special – and quite hilarious – ability: For instance, Bombur can be used as a trampoline that enables his companions ‘belly-bounce’ out of danger!”
Apart from that, players will also be able to visit key locations from the films, “including Bag End, Bilbo's Hobbit-hole in Hobbiton,” and also “trek through the treacherous High Pass over The Misty Mountains, and explore the depths of Goblin-town, Mirkwood and Rivendell.”
Once in the game, players will solve a number of puzzles, participate in Treasure Quests and battle with Orcs, Trolls and other things. “They will also be able to mine for gems, discover loot from enemies, and craft powerful magical items or build immense new LEGO structures.”
A number of promotional materials for the game were leaked via a post from Brickset forum member sidersdd. The leaked materials also included a link to LEGO's The Hobbit website, although nothing was mentioned there at that time about the game.
LEGO: The Hobbit is currently scheduled to arrive for the Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, and Xbox One, with releases also planned for 3DS, Wii U, PC, and Mac.
