Precious

It is no secret that games based on movies are usually bad. One potential cause of the issue is that developers are often given tough time-frames and limited budgets when it comes to Hollywood tie-ins, which leads to corners being cut, not enough time for QA, and a fairly minimal likeness to the film.

While some of that is changing slowly, it seems that Warner Bros. Interactive may lead the charge on Mordor - having recently re-acquired exclusive rights to develop, publish and release games based on Tolkien's Lord of the Rings universe.

Following the poorly received last cash-grab from EA set in Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings: Conquest is it possible for Warner Bros. Interactive to produce a spectacular, wonderful and lore-filled series of computer games that are tied in-deeply to the trilogy of films?

Alternately, through negotiations with the literary rights holders - a series of video-games exploring the truth depth of Middle Earth are likely to be a tantalising prospect for both gamers and the publisher's financial interests. On the other hand, Warner Bros. Interactive may just license the IP to someone else again, but it isn't likely.

Just think of all the potential "games" that could happen - LEGO: Lord of the Rings, anyone? A DS collection of Tolkein's work in the spirit of 100 Classic Book Collection? Further work on the Lord of the Rings MMO? Tie-ins to upcoming films from Tolkein's Hobbit?

The possibilities are near limit-less - it will be interesting to see just how Warner Bros. Interactive use the license - for good or for evil, it is sure to make them some healthy troves of gold.