Film licences have a history of being a tricky thing to turn into decent computer games. I think the very first licence that wasn't a total disaster was Ocean's back on the 8-bit machines, yet up until recently the majority of film tie-ins have been lamentably poor. Over the last couple of years this situation has improved for the better, with many of the best spin-offs coming from that behemoth of publishing, EA. They seem to get the very best in co-operation from the film studios, which results in the subsequent game reeking of authenticity. Their recent outing, Return of the King, was an enjoyable that was greatly improved by the close integration of its visual and auditory repertoire with that of the film. The next big release in this most bounteous of licences will be The Battle for Middle Earth, an set in that eponymous realm and coded by the makers of that most venerable of RTS series, Command & Conquer.

The team behind C&C Generals and its expansion Zero Hour, LA, could not be better suited to making Battle for Middle Earth into the one game to rule them all. Their efforts of last year resulted in one of the very best looking games of any type at the time and one which played just as well as it looked. BME will utilise a modified version of the Generals engine, so at the very least the game should run on lower-specced machines. But you will want some muscle in your beige box to fully appreciate the splendour of the world that EA LA are striving to create. Rather than plonk an RTS into the setting EA LA are attempting to create a rich and vibrant world in which you then play the game. So we can expect to see life going on around the peaceful habitat of the hobbits and nature going about its business in blissful ignorance of the intentions of Mordor. One example given is of a waterfall, around which is a lush forest environment, complete with drinking animals and birds passing overhead. The developers have stressed how important it is to them to get the feel of Middle Earth just right. In fact it is a primary goal of the game, to have the players believing that they are personally involved in this world and that their actions will, for better or for worse, help to decide its fate. So don't expect to see any favoured characters or races doing things just because they are required to do so by the norms of RTS design. The developers prefer to change the conventions of the genre rather than of the world of Middle Earth, so we can expect to see some new and unusual ways of interacting with the game.

One example given is of unit morale. A group of Gondor foot soldiers sent to deal with a band of rampaging trolls will be visibly hesitant and unsure as they press their attack, emotions replaced by jubilation and glee when their small force vanquishes the much larger foes. Hopefully this design won't extend as far as insubordination, but it is an exciting prospect and indicative of the fresh approach that is being taken. And you will get plenty of opportunity to see these animations and reactions as it's planed for there to be up to 500 units on screen at once. As a result, formations of battalions will be the order of the day, with larger numbers of units coalescing into a single fighting group. This will not only make for some spectacular battles, as a line of Rohan riders crash into a mass of Orcs and Urak Hai, but it will also keep the micromanaging levels down and the player's brain intact. This method has been used with great success in the series among others, so we should hopefully see some tactical benefits to various formations making an appearance in the final game.

With sequences like those at Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith to draw on it's a great relief to know that siege warfare will play an integral part in BME. And it won't just be some catapults smashing down some walls. Not only will larger creatures like Ents and trolls be able to pick up scenery off the battlefield and hurl them at the enemy, but once a fortress's outer defences are breached the real fun will begin when defending against a siege. Traps will make a welcome appearance, so expect to be able to slam a portcullis shut after some curious Orcs make their way under it. You can then deal with the interlopers by unleashing the fury of your concealed archers upon them, or even better, emptying big cauldrons of boiling oil over their heads. From this it sounds like the famous deviant humour that we have come to love and expect from the C&C series will find a home in The Battle for Middle Earth.