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Developer interviews are the best way to get a look at both the process behind developing a game and just where the developer intends to go with it. This War in the North trailer does precisely that, and it's extremely interesting. The developers link the War in the North back into the original Lord of the Ring books, and discuss how they made it authentic and true to Tolkein's vision while still remaining unique and interesting. There is also some shots of new areas and new fights, including glimpses of Agandar's foreboding citadel.

Download Lord of the Rings: War In The North 'Behind the Scenes' Trailer
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We've seen trailers that re-use footage before, and this trailer for War in the North does just that. But while a few shots are recycled from the Black Numenorean trailer, there's also a few that are completely unique to this trailer. Some gameplay shots are intermingled with more cinematic pieces, and there is also some exclusive concept art reveals. However, there's not a whole lot of information present on what the game actually plays like. Only how it looks and moves. In essence, it's a repeat, albeit a slick and polished one.

Download Lord of the Rings: War in the North 'Council of the North' Trailer
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Lord of the Rings is a franchise that has seen so many ups and downs in the videogame space that it's hard to keep track of just what is going on nowadays. The latest game set in Tolkien's esteemed Middle Earth is War in the North, and it's a hack-and-slash RPG by the esteemed Snowblind Studios. This trailer gives a brief glimpse into the raw brutality of the game, which is a big departure for Lord of the Rings. Despite the violence of the movies and book, the games have been mostly oriented to allow children to play. The blood splatter and violence makes this a far more mature outing, and also makes us more interested.

Download HD Lord of the Rings: War In The North 'Untold Story' Trailer
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This latest cinematic trailer for The Lord of the Rings: War in the North demonstrates how brutal the fighting can be, even when there isn't a ring to protect. The game - which takes place in the northern reaches of Middle-earth - is currently expected to release in 2011 and will feature 3-player cooperative multiplayer using a variety of different character races using upgradeable weapons, skills and abilities.

Download HD War in the North 'The Hand of Sauron Stretches Far' Trailer (133 MB)
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Plenty of blood, combat and giant creatures to be found in this teaser trailer for The Lord of the Rings: War in the North. This might be the first time a Lord of the Rings game will be developed with a mature rating.

Download HD The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Teaser Trailer (113 MB)

The game's official web site is already online and you have to go through an age gate to check it out which may signal that this title will have some more adult content than previous "T" rated Lord of the Rings games. The title will let players control new heroes of the fantasy trilogy that take the fight to Sauron in the Northern part of Middle Earth. It also promises to have co-op gameplay options for up to three people.

If this was The Bachelor, these folks would not be getting roses. Shacknews is reporting that a total of 25 employees have been let go across all three of Warner Bros. Interactive's Seattle area development studios: Monolith (F.E.A.R. series) Surreal Software (the upcoming This is Vegas) and Snowblind Studios. The article claims that all three studios still have just over 400 employees in total.

In an official statement, Warner Bros. Interactive has admitted to some layoffs without confirming Shacknews' specific numbers, saying, "Unfortunately, we had a few too many resources in certain functions and some positions were eliminated in this process." The publisher would also not comment on the current status of This is Vegas which was the project that Surreal Software was working on for its former owner Midway before Warner Bros. bought the developer in the summer of 2009.