This was the game published with issue 1 of World Wide Wargames magazine in 1977. It's all original and, considering it's never been boxed, it's still in good playable condition, having been stored in dark dry conditions. There is some minor discolouration on the game board (pictured). The instructions are just two pages from three magazine: "Introduction: This is a game for two or three players, designed to simulate the wars illustrated in the book "Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien. This book has been described as a sort of science fiction, a fairy story, a saga but whatever adjectives you like to use 'spell-binding' is probably the most appropriate. It's a book to be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you haven't read it yet, we urge you to do so: you are almost certain to become another ardent fan of the world of Middle Earth. We hope this game will whet your interest. Don't miss SPI's eagerly awaited game of the book either, due out later this year. "The board covers the area of Middle Earth, and all the major peoples mentioned in the book are included. However, since the literature on this particular war is obviously limited, the emphasis has been placed on speed of play and enjoyment, rather than an attempt to mirror the book. Nevertheless, the game includes the possibility of all the major battles mentioned in the book. A simple live or die combat table is used with no retreats, and zones of control and supply have no part in the game".