Recruiting members for NEW ONLINE LOTR GAME

[Nicrlaitheking 0]

Hello to those who might read this!


So I'm making a new free online game about Middle Earth

Many of you probably know the tabletop game "Axis & Allies" which is about WWII.
so i kinda like the concept and since i love the geography of Middle Earth i thought it could be quite cool to have a Lord of the Rings version of the game. (yes i know there already exist LOTR risk... but it's bad, compared to axis and allies, in my opinion)

anyway boardgames are kinda old-school and i found out you can play axis and allies online. So was thinking to make this game free and online as well.

Name of the game:
Middle Earth: Dawn of a New Age

What I'm seeking:
-Coders who can help
-UI/2d artists, people who can make all the visual parts

if you wanna join the team feel free to leave a message or pm me.

The game will have singleplayer & multiplayer (singleplayer will mostly be for new players and multiplayer for those who are skilled). I hope there will be an online chat-room while playing a multiplayer game, a tab for you and your allies and a general world-tab for chatting. That way people can plan how to win the game etc.

Basic gameplay:

- Each faction is controlled by a player (or AI if not enough players online)
- Each region has a "value" 0-9 points.
- the points are used for recruiting soldiers, building structures & naval forces
- you can only recruit men in "cities"
- there can only be 1 city (basically large cities & famous cities known from LOTR) in a region.
- Each faction needs to control a specific amount of cities to win
- Each faction has a main mission (like Mordor's main mission: destroy the faction; Gondor)
- infantry can move 1 region per turn (unless the information says something else in the 'units' category. see below sections)
- you get points for each turn. you can end your turn whenever you want (if you play online you will have a time-limit (could be adjusted to make the game even harder))
- Each faction has it's own startup men & heroes (see sections below for more)
- The Heroes your faction starts with has their own advantages, and cannot be revived or recruited.
-the skulls you can see on the map are 'dangerous areas' if you move men into the area you can risk to lose some (AI will roll a dice)

Units:

Land Units: Cost: Attack: Move:
-Peasants (snaga for orcs) 2, 1, 1
-Light Infantry 3, 2, 1
-Heavy Infantry 4, 3, 1
-Cavalry 4, 2, 2
-Heavy Cavalry 7, 4, 2
-Catapult, Balista (needed to captured regions with a city) 10, 4, 1
*Special units*
-Trolls (can be used to capture a region with a city) 17, 4, 2
-Oliphaunts 20, 5, 2
-Fellbeast (can only be used with a nazgul hero) 25, +1, +2
-Ents (Not recruitable) -, 4, 1
-Eagles (Not recruitable) -, 5, 3
-Rangers (only Good factions) 4, 2, 2
-Giant spiders (can only be recruited in Dol Guldur) 15, 3, 1
- Hero (different from person to person) *can not be bought

Naval Units:
-Battleship (can take 2 hits) 21, 3, 1
-Galley 15, 1, 1
-Transport (can carry 2 units) 15, 0, 1
Special ships:
- Corsair ship (can carry 2 units) 18, 3, 1 (can move 2 first round after recruitment)

Structures:
-Upgrade a 'town' to city (will enable recruitment) 100, 2 rounds to construct
-Barricades (max 1. can take a hit instead of a unit) 8, 1 round
-Rebuild a ruined city 75, 2 rounds
-Build a Harbour (will enable recruitment for naval forces) 30,

*note about 'attack' (damage). you roll a dice per unit. The 'attack' indicates from what number and below they hit. example:
Light Infantry = attack 2. if you get 1 or 2 you hit and your enemy can choose which unit to lose.


Factions:
Good:
Gondor
Rohan
The Shire
Breeland
Lindon
Rivendell
Lothlórien
Thranduil's Realm
Dale
The Dwarves
Woodsmen & Beornings
Dúnedain of the North
Dorwinion

Evil:
Mordor
Isengard
Harad
Umbar
Rhûn
Dol Guldur
Orcs of the Misty Mountains
Angmar
Hill-men of Rhudaur
Dunland

Neutral
Logath clan (not playable)
The Lossoth tribes (not playable)
Clans of Enedwaith (not playable)
Rivermen of Annon Baran (not playable)
The Drúedain (Woses) (not playable)


Startup:
Good:

Gondor:
54 points
-Anórien= 1x light infantry, 1x Rangers
-Cair Andros= Faramir, 2x light infantry, 1x Rangers
-Osgiliath= Boromir, 1x heavy infantry, 1x light infantry, 2x peasants
-Pelennor= Denethor II, 1x light infantry, 1x Cavalry, 1x barricade
-Lossarnach
-Arnach=1x peasants
-Lebennin=2x light infantry
-Celosien
-Lebennivet
-Hills of Tarnost
-Eastern Belfalas=1xlight infantry
-Western Belfalas=Prince imrahil, 1x heavy infantry 2x heavy cavalry
-Edhellond= 1x light infantry
-Mornan=1x Rangers
-Lamedon=1x peasants
- Andrast
-Anfalas=1x light infantry
-Pinnath Gelin
-Sea Zone 39=1x Battleship
-Sea Zone 32=2x Galley


Rohan:
25 points
-Folde= Théoden, 2x Heavy cavalry, 1x peasants
-Fenmark= 1x peasants
-Eastfold= Éomer, 2x light infantry, 1x Cavalry
-Westfold= Théodred, 1x heavy infantry, 1x light infantry, 1xbarricade
-Dunharrow
-West-march=1xpeasants
-East-Emnet=1xCavalry
-West-Emnet
-Wold
-Parth Calenardhon
- Gap of Rohan=1x Cavalry

The Shire
13 Points
-Westfarthing= Pippin, 2x light infantry
-Eastfarthing= Sam, 1x peasants
-Southfarthing= 1x peasants
-Northfarthing= Frodo, 1x peasants
-Buckland= Merry, 1x peasants
-Overbourn

Breeland
7points
-Breeland=Barliman Butterbur, 2xLight infantry
-Taur Iaur
-Midgewater
-Andrath


Lindon
33 points
-Mithlond= Círdan, 1x light infantry 1x heavy Cavalry
-Ardquetto
-Lildardhon
-Lairiardhon
-Ardolyalinya=1xlight infantry
-Rónalindon
-Thalos=1x peasants
-Emyn Beraid
-Ascahiriand
-Seldariand
-Estoriand
-Apariath=1x infantry
-Vinyalas
-Úveduinorë
-Mänoriand
-Sandariand
-Celanoriand
-Sea Zone 12 1x transport, 1x galley

Rivendell
13 points
-Rivendell=Lord elrond,1xheavy infantry 1xheavy cavalry 1xcavalry
-Bruinen
-Hoarwell
-Northern Eregion

Lothlórien
13 points
-Lothlórien=Celeborn, Galadriel, 3x rangers, 1x light infantry
-Cerin Amroth= Haldir, 1x rangers, 1x light infantry
-Forodrain
-Parth Celebrant

Thranduil's Realm
13 points
-Greylin Vale
-Thranduil's Relam= Legolas, Thranduil, 2x rangers, 1x heavy infantry
-Taur-e-Ndaedlos= 1x light infantry
-Eastern Mirkwood

Dale
13 points
-Dale= Brand, 1x heavy infantry, 1x cavalry
-Esgaroth= Bard II, 1x light infantry
-Gramavuld= 1x peasants

The Dwarves
18 points
-Erebor= Dain II, Gimli, 2x Heavy infantry
-Iron Hills= Thorin III, 1x light infantry
-Thorin's Halls=2x light infantry, 1x peasants
-Kibil-dûm= 1x light infantry

Woodsmen & Beornings
12 points
-Rhosgobel=Radagast, 1x peasants
-Western Nan Anduin=1x light infantry
-Eastern Nan Anduin= Grimbeorn, 2x light infantry
-Hithaeylir=2x giant eagles
Woodsmen's village= 1x heavy infantry

Dúnedain of the North
9 points
-En Egladin=2x light infantry, 1x peasants
-Emyn Sûl= Aragorn, 4x rangers, 1x cavalry, 1x light infantry
-Mendriyar
-Sarn Ford= Halbarad, 2x rangers, 1x light infantry

Dorwinion
11 points
-Dorwinion=2x cavalry, 2x light infantry, 1x heavy cavalry
-Dorwinion Mountains=2x light infantry
-Talath Arroch= 1x peasants
-Ehwathrumavuld
-Northern Ehwathrumavuld=2x peasants
Sea Zone 49= 1x transport


Evil:

Mordor
41 points
-Barad-dûr= Mouth of Sauron, 3x light infantry, 2x heavy infantry, 1x catapult
-Minas Morgul= With-king, 2x heavy infantry, 2x snaga, 1x heavy cavalry
-Shelob's Cave= 1x giant spider
-Morgai=Shagrat, Gorbag, 1x heavy infantry
-Isenmouthe= 4x snaga, 1x heavy infantry
-Ûdun= 2x light infantry, 2x snaga
-Morannon= Gothmog, 3x light infantry
-Mount Doom
-Gorgoroth= 1x heavy infantry 2x snaga
-No Mans land= 2x snaga
-Gaer Durlith= 2x light infantry
- Perth Ulmyn= 1x light infantry
- Den nurn= 2x snaga
- Western nurn= 2x snaga
- Eastern Nurn= 1xlight infantry
- Lithlad
-Maegond Vale

Isengard
8 points
-Nan Curunir= Saruman, Ugluk, Lurtz, Sharku, Mauhur, 6x heavy infantry, 2x snaga, 3x cavalry

Harad
25 points
-The Dune Sea
-Harnen=2x heavy cavalry, 1x peasants
-Haruzan=2x peasants, 1x light infantry
-Harondor= The Golden King of Harad, 2x light infantry, 2x cavalry, 1x heavy infantry
-Northern harondor= Suládan, 1x light infantry, 1x peasants, 1x cavalry
- Imlad Carnen=2x light infantry
-Pezarsan
-Lurmsakûn= 1x peasants
-Chelkar= 1x light infantry
-Kajbah
-Sea zone 41= 1x galley

Umbar
13 points
-Sakal an-Dalajaf= 1x light infantry
-Umbar= Dalamyr, 2x light infantry, 1x peasants
-Glinfalas=3x light infantry, 1x peasants
-Sea Zone 45= 1x Galley
-Sea Zone 46= 2x Corsair ships

Rhûn
23 points
-Southern Rhûn
-Agasha Dag= 2x light infantry
-Decranamel= Amdûr, 2x heavy cavalry, 2x light infantry, 1x peasants
-Gathod= 1x cavalry, 2x light infantry
-Southern Gathod= 2x light infantry
- Cairn Angle
- Sagathavuld= 1x light infantry
- Southern Dor Rhûnen= 1x peasants
- Talath Harroch
- East Bight= 2x light infantry

Dol Guldur
11 points
-Dol Guldur= Khamûl, Grishnakh, 5x snaga, 2x heavy infantry, 3x light infantry, 1x giant spiders
-Emyn-nu-Fuin=3x giant spiders

Orcs of the Misty Mountains
27 points
-Moria= 3x light infantry, 1x snaga
-Gundabad= 5x snaga, 2x light infantry, 1x heavy infantry, 1x cavalry
-Goblin-town= 4x snaga, 1x light infantry
-Dain's Halls=3x light infantry, 2x snaga
-Zagh Kala=1x snaga
-Nan Lóke
-Forovirkain
-Uthrael Beoac

Angmar
14 points
-Carn Dûm= Agandaur, 2x snaga, 1x heavy cavalry, 2x ligth infantry
-Nan Angmar=Morgomir, 2x snaga, 1x cavalry
-Parth Gurthil= 1x snaga
- Mount Gram=2x snaga, 2x light infantry

Hill-men of Rhudaur
8 points
-Ettenmoors=2x light infantry, 1x cavalry
-Magillos=1x peasants
-Pinnath Aeyring
-Rhudaur= 2x light infantry, 1x heavy infantry

Dunland
13 points
-Dunfearan= 2x light infantry, 2x peasants
-Lugiu= 1x peasants
-Fortriu= 2x light infantry, 1x cavalry, 1x peasants
-Bhainnfearan
-Choil Caerdh=1x peasants
-Smertiu=2x peasants, 1x light infantry

Neutral:

Logath clan (not playable)
5 points
- Logathavuld=2x light infantry, 1x peasants, 1x cavalry
-Sagath=2x peasants
-Dyr= 1x heavy infantry

The Lossoth tribes (not playable)
5 points
-Forochel=1x light infantry, 2x peasants
-Northern Forochel=2x peasants
-Talath Muil=2x peasants
-Lódalf=1x peasants
- Rammas Formen

Clans of Enedwaith (not playable)
11 points
-Saralainn= 2x light infantry, 2x peasants
-Lond Daer= 3x light infantry
-Angrast= 1x light infantry, 2x peasants
-Dor Wathui
-Enedwaith=2x light infantry, 1x peasants

Rivermen of Annon Baran (not playable)
4 points
-Egenyar= 1x light infantry, 2x peasants
-Dor-í-Tínuvíel=1x peasants
-Girithlin=2x peasants

The Drúedain (Woses) (not playable)
7 points
-Drúadan Forest= Ghân-buri-ghân, 1x light infantry
-Balorn= 2x peasants
-Drúwaith Iaur= 1x light infantry, 2x peasants
-Perth Iaur
-Eryn Vorn= 2x light infantry
-Hairaverkien= 1x peasants

Map:
http://i.imgur.com/DgQhjoS.png

 

[Helcawen 61]

WB/SZC and or Chris will come down on you like a ton of bricks.

[androclese 83]

As Helcawen stated the rights to LOTR are owned/leased by three parties at the moment, WB/SCZ and Chris Tolkien, all three are well known for their tendency to sue people at the drop of a hat. They recently shut down the development of a LOTRO mod for Skyrim (at least I think it was Skyrim), so chances are that if you don't get a license for your game you will very quickly be facing their lawyers in court.

[Brrokk 63]

I think it would depend on whether there was any profit. This Diplomacy variant has been getting away with it or staying under the radar for some years, I guess because it's purely amateur:

http://badpets.net/Diplomacy/Downfall/

 

Actually, this idea looks similar but the representation of different armies is more detailed.

 

<EDIT> BTW the map is great. How did you come up with all those extra place names? They all seem to fit, but I've never come across most of them before.

[Laurinaohtar 133]

I think it would depend on whether there was any profit.

The Skyrim MERP mod was closed down even though it was a free mod. If you stay under the radar you will probably be ok but if your game gets popular expect a quick cease and desist letter.

[Anglion 10]

<EDIT> BTW the map is great. How did you come up with all those extra place names? They all seem to fit, but I've never come across most of them before.

I'd like to know as well.

 

Seems to me that alot of the names are made up which would be fine if it wasn't a "map game". The thing is that Middle Earth map is detailed and most of the lands were not divided into smaller territories with different names.

[JRonnie 21]

The Skyrim MERP mod was closed down even though it was a free mod. If you stay under the radar you will probably be ok but if your game gets popular expect a quick cease and desist letter.

 

The mod was free, but in order to play the mod, you needed to buy a copy of Skyrim.  Therefore someone (Bethesda) was profiting indirectly.  Might not sound like much, but it does make a difference.  The other thing is that the MERP could be seen as a competitor to existing WB products using the IP (LOTRO and the various crappy single player RPG's WB have been regurgitating).  I'm not sure that there are any currently existing or planned LOTR products that WB could say that this game was affecting.

 

That's not to say that this will manage to fly as 'fair use', but it's probably got a better chance than the Skyrim mod did.

[Nicrlaitheking 0]

They closed down the MERP mod because it was for Skyrim, not because it was LOTR. Skyrim is a competitor compared to the games they have made, that's why they wanted to stop it, basically the mod would be better than their products and therefore it would be a loss for them.

 

This however is like nothing they have made so far and no one is earning any money on it, therefore wouldn't they risk a single penny to sue me. It would basically cost them money to stop me. Also there is already a few free online games, and none of them got permission to make the game and nor have they been sued.

 

The conclusion is that i'm 99% sure they wouldn't sue me and it's idiotic to compare it to a mod made for a game, that became game of the year. This is basically just a normal strategic game. It's not one gigantic sandbox game that beat their graphics into the dirt.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

for the other questions;

 

I didn't make up anything for the map, it's all taken from the original MERP board-game, Lindëfirion and of course normal Middle Earth maps. I just combined lots of facts with some board-game fiction. 

[Andthelion 18]

They WILL shut this down, absolutely no doubt on that.

They just closed down a volunteer fan made film based on parts of the Silmarillion, you stand no chance at all.

http://middleearthnews.com/2013/12/08/fan-film-storm-over-gondolin-shut-down-by-tolkien-estate/

and chance at all, any, that SZ/MEE or the Tolkien estate have of shutting you down they will take it. Especially when the two sides are in court right now, one point they are discussing is whether or not online games for lotro are even allowed in the licence agreement between the two parties, what chance do you think you have in releasing one?

 

Nice idea and all, but save yourself the time and heartache.

[Nicrlaitheking 0]

You are comparing a simple strategy game with a movie now? that's absurd.

I still doubt they will shut it down. There are other fan movies about LOTR and they weren't shut down, this production probably did something special for it to being stopped.

But i didn't come here to deal with party poopers and babies. I'm still seeking people who wants to help making this game. Try to stop changing subject.

[Trilwych 279]

That's hardly changing the subject.

Any project dealing with a third party IP must consider the ramifications, especially when you're asking for CODERS AND DESIGNERS, stuff that takes a lot of time investment. From a volunteering point of view, there's nothing worse than spending your blood/sweat/tears on a project like this and then getting squished by some giant legal notice (or IP holder stealing one's work, but that's another topic entirely).

It's called "being realistic." But hey, good luck.

[nosam9 211]

I don't think any of of really know for sure.

 

. I can see points on both sides of the argument - but can see the game being fine - not bothering WB much. It's not even made yet - let alone competition for another company.

 

Anyway, it sounds cool and I wish you luck.

[JRonnie 21]

They WILL shut this down, absolutely no doubt on that.

They just closed down a volunteer fan made film based on parts of the Silmarillion, you stand no chance at all.

http://middleearthnews.com/2013/12/08/fan-film-storm-over-gondolin-shut-down-by-tolkien-estate/

and chance at all, any, that SZ/MEE or the Tolkien estate have of shutting you down they will take it. Especially when the two sides are in court right now, one point they are discussing is whether or not online games for lotro are even allowed in the licence agreement between the two parties, what chance do you think you have in releasing one?

 

Nice idea and all, but save yourself the time and heartache.

 

"Storm over Gondolin" was fundraising with a goal of 100,000 Euros.  Might not sound like much, but as soon as you introduce money in to the equation, you're more likely to get the cease and desist.

[Trilwych 279]

I don't think any of of really know for sure.

. I can see points on both sides of the argument - but can see the game being fine - not bothering WB much. It's not even made yet - let alone competition for another company.

Anyway, it sounds cool and I wish you luck.

Not just WB but the Tolkien estate/whatever the IP holder company name was, I forget. There would be two interested parties in relation to this IP, not just WB.

That said, it's still totally fair to bring up such concerns, and anyone who's fine with that risk and wants to donate their time, more power to them. Could be better than LotRO and the half-wraith shenanigans.

[Dalthalion 183]

I'm going to go against the curve here and just wish Nicrlaitheking success at the endeavour.  Can't do worse than Turbine.

[nosam9 211]

Not just WB but the Tolkien estate/whatever the IP holder company name was, I forget. There would be two interested parties in relation to this IP, not just WB.

 

True. Although it was only WB who decided to crush the life out of MERP. 

 

Merp would have been a labor of love and possible a very nice Middle Earth indeed.

[Doro 818]

Not the sort of game-style I like personally, so I will have to decline offering any help. Good luck.

[Nicrlaitheking 0]

thank you I have already 2 people who wanna help me code for it. They say it would be quite easy to make. I still need more people and UI/2D artists, though.

[Elrantiri 46]

"Storm over Gondolin" was fundraising with a goal of 100,000 Euros.  Might not sound like much, but as soon as you introduce money in to the equation, you're more likely to get the cease and desist.

 

I think the bigger issue in this particular example is that it's Silmarillion rather than LotR. I don't think anyone will be allowed to touch Silmarillion while Christopher is alive, and possibly not even after his death.

[JRonnie 21]

I think the bigger issue in this particular example is that it's Silmarillion rather than LotR. I don't think anyone will be allowed to touch Silmarillion while Christopher is alive, and possibly not even after his death.

 

Yes, that too.  WB have let some things fly under the radar so to speak, but Tolkien Estate takes extreme measures to knock out anything it can.  As to whether things loosen up after Chris Tolkien kicks it, well I guess that depends who inherits.

[Helcawen 61]

Yes, that too.  WB have let some things fly under the radar so to speak, but Tolkien Estate takes extreme measures to knock out anything it can.  As to whether things loosen up after Chris Tolkien kicks it, well I guess that depends who inherits.

popular legend has it he has hand picked a grandson to take over the mantle who shares similar beliefs with regards to the works and protection of the ip as Chris does.

[LordVorontur 185]

Unlikely to happen in our lifetime, unless we live to be 200.

This, however, is likely to get a Cease and Desist letter sent to it(provided they can find the address).

There is too much at stake, currently, with the lawsuit to let unauthorized use of the IP slide, from either side.

 

But good luck to you.

[CrankyCat 28]

Doesn't Minecraft have a LOTR area under construction and will be including all the Characters and objects such as Sting etc,  indeed even adding areas from Silmarillion I believe.

[Doro 818]

Doesn't Minecraft have a LOTR area under construction and will be including all the Characters and objects such as Sting etc,  indeed even adding areas from Silmarillion I believe.

Shhhhh. Uietqay on the odmay.

[Rainothon 36]

Keep it secret, keep it safe.