A mod that took 13 years to develop is finally ready for a game that is not for sale.
The Extended Edition of Middle-earth revitalizes the 2004 real-time strategy game, The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth.
After more than ten years of work, the extended edition of Middle-earth has been released in its 1.0 version for The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth. Despite this achievement, the game is not available for digital purchase, although it can be found second-hand on eBay for a price comparable to that of a new PlayStation 5 title. This highly anticipated mod culminates a project that has significantly expanded a much-loved real-time strategy game.
Battle for Middle-earth was developed by Danger Close Games and hit the market in December 2004. The extended edition of Middle-earth began its development in 2012, and its creator, Rohirim91, has been releasing the mod in parts as different aspects were completed. The recently published version is the first in four years and effectively marks the culmination of the mod, although Rohirim91 has not clarified whether he will continue working on it. The release does not come with a celebratory tone, but rather as a routine update. Rohirim91 has provided instructions for running the mod, which includes an expanded set of playable maps, new features, polished campaigns, improvements in artificial intelligence, balance changes, and bug fixes, although it requires the 1.06 patch for BFME 1.
This mod is a standout example of what makes video games such an engaging hobby. It has been created with great dedication over 13 years for a game that is already 21 years old. Although Battle for Middle-earth cannot be purchased digitally, there has been a request for its availability on GOG. Additionally, for fans of this classic RTS, the latest version of the mod can be downloaded, which adds multiple factions, new maps, and significantly enhances the AI of enemies, revitalizing a game that can sometimes feel somewhat dated, and even adjusts campaign missions to align more closely with the narrative of The Lord of the Rings.
In the realm of video games, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-Earth is also in development, a character-collecting RPG that offers a new twist on the universe of The Lord of the Rings. This game from Capital Games and EA follows the approach of the previous title Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and is set to launch in May. One of the most interesting features of the game is its ability to explore alternate scenarios in the franchise's narrative, allowing combinations of characters from different eras and allegiances that would not be seen in the conventional story.
In this title, players will face a mysterious enemy while searching for a new Ring of Power, which will allow them to traverse timelines and create situations that alter the canon of Middle-earth. These alternatives also give developers a wide margin to introduce new playable versions of the characters. During a roundtable, Jay Ambrosini, design director for Heroes of Middle-Earth, expressed his enthusiasm for these ideas but also emphasized the importance of being respectful to the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, ensuring that the essence of the characters is reflected in the decisions they make.