On an earlier thread I argued that a Lord of the rings total war would be the best choice for CA as the next fantasy genre to follow warhammer. The downfall being access to the rights to be able to make a game based on the movies and books. But why not do a game based on the books alone? Wouldn't the rights be easier to get? I see less of a downfall if CA makes a game based on the books alone. This would also allow them to design a middle earth after their own interpretation and give them more licence in this area. The only downfall I see some will argue that because the movies were so popular many would want the game to visually resemble the movie by Jackson. However It is likely that CA would come to a similar [maybe even improved] visual attraction to Middle earth than the movies. I think if they created a middle earth, few would find objection enough to not purchase a total war game for this reason alone. But even for them a possible solution is in modding. If modders can tinker with the looks of units, they should be able to make the adjustments to match the movies. However the Tolkien fan base's majority is in the books, not the movies. Add to that the total war fan base that simply loves total war, you have a major seller even if a few fall through the cracks.
Tolkien carries the largest fantasy fan base of all time only expanded by the movies that could be brought into the total war series A match made in haven. The soon to be made middle earth by amazon, the most expensive TV show ever will add to the popularity of Tolkien. The upcoming universal Studios Middle earth theme park will do the same, as will the coming movie about Tolkien, named, Tolkien. As someone who has not played a total war game since empire, this would get me back into total war. Lord of the Rings is the best selling fantasy book of all time. The Hobbit is the third best fantasy seller. Besides the Bible, LOTR is the third best selling book of all time, the Hobbit is 8th on the all time list.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..-selling_books
https://jamesclear.com/best-books/best-selling
The world created by Tolkien would fit perfect for the next fantasy total war game. Lord of the Rings provides what Total war needs.
- Large fan base already present
- Multiple diverse factions with both challenges and bonuses for each
- Hugh map of Middle Earth with diverse terrain and battle maps
- Large numbers of diverse units and forces for epic battles
- Large castles for epic siege battles
- Hero's of legend with special abilities
-Agents, spies, assassins, diplomats etc
- Battle over land, sea and air
- Economy and trade
-Exspansions and DLC could be done on the first and second ages
It is not surprising that the most awarded, most downloaded , mod ever made for a total war game is the third age mod.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forum..-Age-Total-War
Since this mod was done for medieval 2 and was a mod, it had major setbacks. But it shows the poetical for what a CA done Lord of the Rings total war would be, it would simply be the 'One game to rule them all'
However there is an irrefutable reason CA needs to make middle earth total war. Tolkien was from England, CA is based in England. Tolkien made LOTR so England could have its own fantasy [like the Norse epics]. Therefore out of sheer duty and patriotism, CA must know make the video game for England. It irrefutable. Or else CA have no right to be called Brits.
Contact CA let them know you want it.
https://www.creative-assembly.com/contact