›

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register

Quick Links

Tolkien's entire Middle Earth IP rights sold.

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,043
edited August 2022 in The Pub at MMORPG.COM
The user and all related content has been deleted.
«134

Comments

  • UwakionnaUwakionna Member RarePosts: 1,139
    Not very surprised this part of the IP was sold, but I am a little surprised by it being Embracer. Guess I really shouldn't be though.
    AlBQuirky
  • MendelMendel Member LegendaryPosts: 5,609
    I think what we're seeing here is a classic case of big fish and bigger fish.  Saul Zaentz stumbled onto a once-in-a-lifetime sweetheart deal and bought a some production rights to an international mega IP.  That company grew and now finds itself target to be acquired themselves.  Money was made; money will be made.  Now, it's on to the murky matters of what this will mean to all the various LotR games in development or in existence until the next bigger fish comes along.



    PhaserlightAlBQuirky

    Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.

  • PhaserlightPhaserlight Member EpicPosts: 3,075
    If you go to their website, they claim to have been dealing with this IP since the 70s in their various incarnations.  I hope the current generation treats it with the respect it deserves; I'm glad it's Embracer and not someone else.
    AlBQuirky

    "The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
    Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance

  • delete5230delete5230 Member EpicPosts: 7,081
    What's in it for me ?
    AlBQuirky
  • AlBQuirkyAlBQuirky Member EpicPosts: 7,432
    Well dang! I was going to offer Saul-Zaentz $1 for the IP when "Rings of Power" fails miserably by "modernizing" Middle Earth. Maybe in a few years I can try that offer :)

    - Al

    Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.
    - FARGIN_WAR


  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • NeblessNebless Member RarePosts: 1,871
    Mendel said:
    I think what we're seeing here is a classic case of big fish and bigger fish.  Saul Zaentz stumbled onto a once-in-a-lifetime sweetheart deal and bought a some production rights to an international mega IP.  That company grew and now finds itself target to be acquired themselves.  

    Saul put up MEE for sale awhile back so this isn't a case of a hostile take over or anything like that.  For what ever reason MEE was up for sale and Embracer won.
    AlBQuirkySovrath

    SWG (pre-cu) - AoC (pre-f2p) - PotBS (pre-boarder) - DDO - LotRO (pre-f2p) - STO (pre-f2p) - GnH (beta tester) - SWTOR - Neverwinter

  • FrodoFraginsFrodoFragins Member EpicPosts: 6,050
    I hope this isn't true. Sigh


    MendelAlBQuirky
  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 32,780
    FrodoFragins said:
    I hope this isn't true. Sigh


    um.

    Maybe there's enough info in the appendices or other works to flesh out a story here and there?

    Otherwise I got nuttin'.
    AlBQuirky
    Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb." 

    Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w


    Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547

    Try the "Special Edition." 'Cause it's "Special." https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/64878/?tab=description

    Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo 
  • ScotScot Member LegendaryPosts: 24,273
    edited August 2022
    Wargfoot said:
    AlBQuirky said:
    Well dang! I was going to offer Saul-Zaentz $1 for the IP when "Rings of Power" fails miserably by "modernizing" Middle Earth. Maybe in a few years I can try that offer :)
    "Rings of Power", an anime full of wide-eyed school aged girls struggling in the world of junior high shenanigans as they vie for the cheerleading championship to gain the rings of power, which are in fact, nothing more than Oura smart rings.

    A young version of Gandalf will be played by a Pikachu.
    No idea whats happened, hope you are back soon and when you come back be good! More Lassie, less nemesis Warg. :)
    MendelAlBQuirky
  • FrodoFraginsFrodoFragins Member EpicPosts: 6,050
    Scot said:
    Wargfoot said:
    AlBQuirky said:
    Well dang! I was going to offer Saul-Zaentz $1 for the IP when "Rings of Power" fails miserably by "modernizing" Middle Earth. Maybe in a few years I can try that offer :)
    "Rings of Power", an anime full of wide-eyed school aged girls struggling in the world of junior high shenanigans as they vie for the cheerleading championship to gain the rings of power, which are in fact, nothing more than Oura smart rings.

    A young version of Gandalf will be played by a Pikachu.
    No idea whats happened, hope you are back soon and when you come back be good! More Lassie, less nemesis Warg. :)
    Yeah that was a fast ban.
    MendelAlBQuirky
  • MendelMendel Member LegendaryPosts: 5,609
    Nebless said:
    Mendel said:
    I think what we're seeing here is a classic case of big fish and bigger fish.  Saul Zaentz stumbled onto a once-in-a-lifetime sweetheart deal and bought a some production rights to an international mega IP.  That company grew and now finds itself target to be acquired themselves.  

    Saul put up MEE for sale awhile back so this isn't a case of a hostile take over or anything like that.  For what ever reason MEE was up for sale and Embracer won.

    I knew that MEE had been for sale.  There is no signs on the Tolkien Estate website of selling the entire IP.  I suspect that Saul was simply getting old and wanted his retirement money.



    AlBQuirkyTuor7

    Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.

  • FrodoFraginsFrodoFragins Member EpicPosts: 6,050
    Mendel said:
    Nebless said:
    Mendel said:
    I think what we're seeing here is a classic case of big fish and bigger fish.  Saul Zaentz stumbled onto a once-in-a-lifetime sweetheart deal and bought a some production rights to an international mega IP.  That company grew and now finds itself target to be acquired themselves.  

    Saul put up MEE for sale awhile back so this isn't a case of a hostile take over or anything like that.  For what ever reason MEE was up for sale and Embracer won.

    I knew that MEE had been for sale.  There is no signs on the Tolkien Estate website of selling the entire IP.  I suspect that Saul was simply getting old and wanted his retirement money.




    The IP MEE owns is separate from the copyrights, and whatever IP, the Estate owns.  All that was sold was what MEE owned.  Tolkien rights have been confusing ever since Saul Zaentz bought the multimedia rights.  When he called the company "Tolkien Enterprises" things became even more confusing to people who thought it was owned by the "Tolkien Estate".

    The estate most certainly isn't selling any rights and they have only recently even licensed some of the rights they do own.  It's amazing that Amazon spent $500 million to license material from the estate and it doesn't include the complete Silmarillion or other material published by Christopher.  Apparently Amazon is getting material on an as needed basis to tell their second age story.

    AlBQuirky
  • AlBQuirkyAlBQuirky Member EpicPosts: 7,432
    edited August 2022
    Sovrath said:
    I hope this isn't true. Sigh


    um.

    Maybe there's enough info in the appendices or other works to flesh out a story here and there?

    Otherwise I got nuttin'.

    Yea... Tolkien was all about the "soloing days" of iconic characters :lol:

    Are `there stories to be told here? You betcha! They won't be "Tolkien's stories", but some "women's studies" major who wants to attach their name to a true master.
    KyleranTuor7

    - Al

    Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.
    - FARGIN_WAR


  • MendelMendel Member LegendaryPosts: 5,609
    FrodoFragins said:
    Mendel said:
    Nebless said:
    Mendel said:
    I think what we're seeing here is a classic case of big fish and bigger fish.  Saul Zaentz stumbled onto a once-in-a-lifetime sweetheart deal and bought a some production rights to an international mega IP.  That company grew and now finds itself target to be acquired themselves.  

    Saul put up MEE for sale awhile back so this isn't a case of a hostile take over or anything like that.  For what ever reason MEE was up for sale and Embracer won.

    I knew that MEE had been for sale.  There is no signs on the Tolkien Estate website of selling the entire IP.  I suspect that Saul was simply getting old and wanted his retirement money.




    The IP MEE owns is separate from the copyrights, and whatever IP, the Estate owns.  All that was sold was what MEE owned.  Tolkien rights have been confusing ever since Saul Zaentz bought the multimedia rights.  When he called the company "Tolkien Enterprises" things became even more confusing to people who thought it was owned by the "Tolkien Estate".

    The estate most certainly isn't selling any rights and they have only recently even licensed some of the rights they do own.  It's amazing that Amazon spent $500 million to license material from the estate and it doesn't include the complete Silmarillion or other material published by Christopher.  Apparently Amazon is getting material on an as needed basis to tell their second age story.


    Agreed.  Tolkien Estate hasn't sold their copyright.  At least, I can't find evidence of it.

    The whole Tolkien Enterprises company went away pretty quickly.  I expect the Tolkien Estate had some private words.

    Amazon probably got their rights from MEE.  If Amazon does actually own rights, *and* they derived from MEE, that makes Amazon a licensee, on the same level as the Peter Jackson movies.  It's a known fact that MEE never had anything to do with the Silmarillion, or the other works (especially his linguistics writings -- several attempts were made by US colleges to try to get those after JRRT's death in 73).

    A lot of the confusion about the entire Tolkien library comes from the Tolkien Enterprises/Middle Earth Enterprises (Saul Zaentz) selling parts of his media rights to other parties (Warner Brothers, for instance).  I *think* I remember seeing a lawsuit headed by the Tolkien Estate against Zaentz around the time Zaentz started to try to sell some of his media rights piecemeal.  That would have meant that the Tolkien estate would have had to directly manage and deal with too many license holders.  The Tolkien Estate seemed to want to treat Zaentz and Harper Collins as their 'agents', and really didn't want more than that.  That squabble was hushed up, too.



    AlBQuirky

    Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.

  • TheDalaiBombaTheDalaiBomba Member EpicPosts: 1,493
    AlBQuirky said:
    Sovrath said:
    I hope this isn't true. Sigh


    um.

    Maybe there's enough info in the appendices or other works to flesh out a story here and there?

    Otherwise I got nuttin'.

    Yea... Tolkien was all about the "soloing days" of iconic characters :lol:

    Are `there stories to be told here? You betcha! They won't be "Tolkien's stories", but some "women's studies" major who wants to attach their name to a true master.
    Nothing in that quote really specified those movies would be about only one character, though.  Stephen Totilo seems to have implied that, not the quote.
    AlBQuirky
  • WalkinGlennWalkinGlenn Member RarePosts: 451
    Guaranteed new shows and other content will be a woke shit show.
    AlBQuirkyTuor7klash2defIselinstrawhat0981
  • AeanderAeander Member LegendaryPosts: 8,028
    delete5230 said:
    What's in it for me ?
    Embracer group is awesome about putting out lots of games for niche tastes. That's what's in it for you?

    Those awesome LotR hack and slash games from the PS2 era? Could be remade. That great turn based LotR RPG? Could be remade. Those Battle for Middle Earth RTS's? Could come back. New and fresh takes on the universe? Could happen.

    Because THQ likes quantity, and they're okay with their games making some money, as opposed to needing a few games that make all the money.
    AlBQuirkyScot
  • AlBQuirkyAlBQuirky Member EpicPosts: 7,432
    TheDalaiBomba said:
    AlBQuirky said:
    Sovrath said:
    I hope this isn't true. Sigh


    um.

    Maybe there's enough info in the appendices or other works to flesh out a story here and there?

    Otherwise I got nuttin'.

    Yea... Tolkien was all about the "soloing days" of iconic characters :lol:

    Are `there stories to be told here? You betcha! They won't be "Tolkien's stories", but some "women's studies" major who wants to attach their name to a true master.
    Nothing in that quote really specified those movies would be about only one character, though.  Stephen Totilo seems to have implied that, not the quote.

    Good points.

    To clarify, I'd like to see new Tolkien entertainment ideas. MY pessimism comes from the current attitudes that have "infected" media and games today. I no longer TRUST anyone in the "mainstream creative sphere" to handle ANY IP with due respect and reverence.
    BrotherMaynardTheDalaiBombaMendelBrainyPhaserlightTuor7

    - Al

    Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.
    - FARGIN_WAR


  • TheDalaiBombaTheDalaiBomba Member EpicPosts: 1,493
    edited August 2022
    AlBQuirky said:

    Good points.

    To clarify, I'd like to see new Tolkien entertainment ideas. MY pessimism comes from the current attitudes that have "infected" media and games today. I no longer TRUST anyone in the "mainstream creative sphere" to handle ANY IP with due respect and reverence.
    It's a very delicate IP because it takes itself very seriously in creating a world and multitude of places and cultures that all share a history.

    A relatively small deviation from established lore can decimate the audience's immersion because it is so jarringly evident the content doesn't fit the theme, history, and mood of the IP.  I can understand the reservations.
    AlBQuirkyTuor7
  • Slapshot1188Slapshot1188 Member LegendaryPosts: 17,586
    Not Warg too...
    The Nothing grows...
    KyleranAlBQuirkyPhaserlightTuor7

    All time classic  MY NEW FAVORITE POST!  (Keep laying those bricks)

    "I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator

    Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017. 

    Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018

    "Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018

  • TheocritusTheocritus Member LegendaryPosts: 9,976
    delete5230 said:
    What's in it for me ?

    They will gladly take your money I am sure......
    AlBQuirky
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,043
    edited August 2022
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Veiled_lightVeiled_light Member UncommonPosts: 855
    Does anyone care about IPs anymore? They all get ruined by woke these days. 
    Tuor7delete5230AlBQuirky
  • OG_SolareusOG_Solareus Member RarePosts: 1,041
    Very interesting, game licenses may not be renewed for better prospects ? Also a Gandalf Movie would be epic !
    AlBQuirky
    F2P or DIE !
Sign In or Register to comment.