DigitalNoob

This week, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment revealed a new multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Monolith Productions. Guardians of Middle-earth brings the MOBA style of gaming to consoles for the first time.

The game will bring 10 players together in five versus five competitive multiplayer battle arenas in the epic setting of Middle-earth. More than 20 iconic guardians, including the likes of Gandalf, Sauron, Gollum, Thráin, and many more, will be available for play in the PVP (player versus player) matches. Upgrade those characters via buffs and items earned through combat. Guardians of Middle-earth will contain an in-game voice communication system, as well as a comprehensive online leader board.

“The MOBA genre is wildly popular with PC players and we are excited to bring it to consoles through the lore of Middle-earth,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development at WBIE. “The heroes and villains of Middle-earth are crafted in a way that perfectly intersects with MOBA game features, allowing the development team to create guardians with deep skills and abilities for gamers to master.”

Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey can look forward to several new playable guardians released in conjunction with The Hobbit.

Guardians of Middle-earth is set for release in fall of 2012 in the Xbox LIVE Arcade and on the PlayStation Network. Fans attending E3 can stop by the WB Games booth, located by the entrance to the exhibit hall, to test out the game.