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On Visualizing A Virtual Middle-Earth
Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the Middle-Earth Online website's new developer diary, in which the PC MMORPG's production designer Marc 'Taro' Holmes talks about the "epic responsibility" of visualizing Tolkein's world. He discusses some of the visual controversies: "The debates go back and forth, seemingly without end - does the Balrog have wings or is he made of living flame? Do dwarven women really have beards? How tangible are the Nazgul? How beautiful are the elves?", and shows some early concept art for the barrow-downs at Tyrn Gorthad.
just think of all those sexy bearded dwarven women. Can't beat that. You can keep your scrawny PEF elves. Human women are so boring. Gimme a nice stout, hairy she-dwarf any day.
"Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home" - Cicero
The possibilities of this game are endless. Ents, Orcs, goblins, hobbits, trolls, humans, elves, and dwarves would be the starting species. You could farm potatoes or craft rings(at max level) or even go looking for loot. Imagine farming potatoes for some cash, then being invited by a group of elves to hunt for loot.