Vivendi Universal Games Brings the Hobbit to All Major Gaming Platforms this Fall

Action-Adventure Lets Gamers Live the Classic Prequel to The Lord of the Rings

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that The Hobbit, its upcoming action-adventure video game based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel of the same name, will be released this Fall on all major platforms, including PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Nintendo Game Boy® Advance, and the PC.

The Hobbit is a third-person action-adventure game set in the world of Middle-earth. In the game, players take the persona of Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit who has been unwittingly thrust into an epic adventure. In the game, players explore the magical world of Middle-earth where they'll need to jump gaping chasms, climb treacherous mountains, solve mind-bending puzzles and battle hordes of enemies just to survive. They'll also meet enchanting Elves, battle-ready Dwarves, a powerful Wizard, massive Trolls, bloodthirsty Goblins, and more as they traverse from the peaceful lands of the Shire to the harrowing forests of Mirkwood.

"Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's works and newcomers to his epic adventures alike will love The Hobbit," said Philip O'Neil, VU Games' SVP of Sales & Marketing. "We are aiming to give as many gamers as possible the chance to immerse themselves in the world of Middle-earth, where they will be able to walk for the first time ever in the hairy feet of Bilbo Baggins."

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have set the standard for fantasy writers and creators of epic worlds. The novels are worldwide best sellers, having sold close to 100 million copies and been translated into 26 different languages.