The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth, mobile game developed by EA, announces a limited beta

The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth is set to be Electronic Arts’ next licensed title, with EA returning to LOTR games. Heroes of Middle-earth is in development for Android and iOS smartphones, and is expected to begin limited beta testing in the summer of 2022. According to EA, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth will be uniquely inspired by Earth middle. literary works by JRR Tolkein – there are two film trilogies and a TV series on the way – and will feature turn-based combat and well-known characters from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings franchises, as well as graphics high fidelity, cinematic animations and stylized art.

In an announcement on Monday, EA revealed that it is partnering with Middle-earth companies on a new free-to-play mobile game called The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth. EA describes the upcoming title as a “collectible role-playing game” (RPG) for smartphones. The game is being developed by California-based EA Capital Games and will be “uniquely inspired by Middle-earth as depicted in the literary works of JRR Tolkien,” according to Fredrica Drotos, Chief Brand & Licensing Officer for Middle-earth Enterprises.

Although the publisher is not new to the Lord of the Rings universe – having released PC and console titles based on the films in the past – The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth will be the first game to EA based on scenarios, locations, characters and lore from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books. You’ll need a persistent internet connection, and the title will offer in-game purchases, including random game items – common to most free-to-play titles.

While game details are scarce, EA says the game will offer immersive storytelling, allowing players to experience iconic stories from the books as they fight the evil of Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth will feature turn-based combat, collectible systems, and many characters from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit universes, according to EA.

The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth is set to enter limited regional beta testing this summer on Android and iPhone, meaning test builds of the game could be here in less than two months. EA has yet to reveal details of which regions will have access to The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth beta.