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9 Mar, 2017
2017-3-9 7:53:49 PM UTC
This is what was in the back of my mind:

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/ ... e-latest-tolkien-lawsuit/

"The basis of the claims is that the original agreement in which the film rights were sold only granted limited merchandising rights that cover “personal property that can physically be purchased,” and that these activities exceed the scope of those limited merchandising rights."

One of the claims was for online and downloadable video games being not covered. (I was wrong I think, in that the "Shadows" game don't fall into this bucket, as they are being sold as phyical media).

Good article to read, by the way Khamul. Thanks for sharing!
10 Mar, 2017
2017-3-10 1:30:06 AM UTC
Must admit, whilst I'm not a fan of games particularly, it doesn't really bother me. Down to the lawyers, I guess, as to how far the merchandising rights extend. These kinds of things are so far from the books that I don't think there is a danger of confusion.

It all comes down to people with lots of money fighting over it, which they would no doubt do if the product was good or bad.
10 Mar, 2017
2017-3-10 1:40:00 AM UTC
I'm with Stu on this one.
11 Mar, 2017
2017-3-11 12:16:51 PM UTC
Nice to see that the Chairman of the Tolkien Society agrees with my views on this.

http://twoleftsticks.com/how-does-sha ... -hold-up-tolkien-scholar/
12 Mar, 2017
2017-3-12 1:06:02 PM UTC
Sean Gunner told me over on Twitter that the 3rd Hobbit movie was exceptional and that I was in for a treat so I can't really trust his opinion on things Tolkien anymore. I think this new game looks incredible, I do not think it looks or feels like Middle-earth. Not my Middle-earth anyway.
12 Mar, 2017
2017-3-12 1:17:47 PM UTC
Oh dear. Maybe he's a big fan of huge burrowing worms...

BH
12 Mar, 2017
2017-3-12 1:26:12 PM UTC
I was rather astonished upon seeing the movie, I have to be honest and say that I have not paid any attention to him since. Which could be harsh as he was seeing it at the premier iirc with all the glitz and glamour so maybe that comment was a reaction to the situation rather than the movie.
12 Mar, 2017
2017-3-12 1:36:05 PM UTC
The last H movie is more offensive than any game could ever be. If anything is "an appalling load of nonsense" it's The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. They could have piled up first editions and set fire to them & I would have been less disturbed.

BH
12 Mar, 2017
2017-3-12 1:47:12 PM UTC
While I am able to enjoy The Lord of the Rings and the first half of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey I do not regard them in any way part of Middle-earth, I enjoy them as movies and I am able to let go. My vision of Middle-earth is very different to the movies with the exception of the Shire (I have happily let that update my own images as they were so close to each other)

But the 3rd Hobbit movie offends me so deeply, I was told that I lacked perspective and was being too critical when I said it is the worst movie I have ever seen but I still stand firm with that opinion. It was and is a disgusting insult to the books and Tolkien not only as the author but also as a linguist. To put a swear word in the movie was for me the ultimate example that the film makers actually knew less than they pretended.
12 Mar, 2017
2017-3-12 5:32:43 PM UTC
Oh, I almost have to watch "The Battle of the Five Armies" again to catch the swear word. Almost.

I did enjoy the LOTR trilogy of movies, especially the Fellowship of the Ring. I agree that they do not do the books justice, but they were definitely enjoyable as movies for me. Can't say the same for the Hobbit movies. At some point I will watch the fan edit that took all three and pared them down to something approaching what was in the book. From what I have read, they didn't make all the same choices I would have, and of course they are missing any material that wasn't filmed, but I think it could be more interesting than the source movies.
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