Warner unveils new LOTR action-RPG

Warner Bros. has excitedly announced a "mature", action-RPG take on The Lord of the Rings for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Subtitled War in the North and due next year, this instalment pursues new storylines and ventures to unseen lands in the company of less familiar characters - although the more well-trodden areas of Middle-Earth are not forgotten.

There will be online co-op for up-to three people, and it seems as though characters will be created from scratch to write their own place in Tolkien's world. You'll get to pick from Dwarves, Elves and Race of Man, judging by the official website. Promised are "extensive" customisation and development, "expansive" co-op options, and upgradeable skills, weapons and abilities.

The developer picked to deliver all this is Snowblind Studios, which made Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for consoles in 2001; Everquest console adaptations Champions of Norrath in 2004 and Champions: Return to Arms in 2005; superhero game Justice League Heroes in 2006; and most recently Death Tank for Xbox Live Arcade.

There's CG teaser trailer on the website to get your blood pumping, although it offers little in the way of actual gameplay detail.