Free-to-Play Games The Hobbit:  Armies of the Third Age and The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-earth to Debut this Fall 

SYDNEY, Australia – Sept. 26, 2012 – Kabam, a leader in massively multiplayer games for connected devices, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have partnered to co-publish games for mobile devices and the Web inspired by Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit Trilogy, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM).

Under the deal, Kabam will develop and operate two multiplayer strategy games, The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-earth for mobile devices and The Hobbit:  Armies of the Third Age for web browsers, both launching in fall 2012.  Starting Sept. 26, players can sign up to take part in the upcoming beta for The Hobbit:  Armies of the Third Age at https://www.kabam.com/the-hobbit-armies.

“The Hobbit films are among the most anticipated entertainment launches of all time,” said Kevin Chou, CEO, Kabam. “Kabam’s unique ability to blend the art of game design and the science of free-to-play distribution makes us a natural fit to partner with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to deliver thrilling games via the Web and mobile devices for The Hobbit film fans around the world.”

“We are very pleased to work with Kabam in creating immersive free-to-play online games on massive scales across multiple platforms,” said Greg Ballard, Senior Vice President, Digital Games, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Kabam’s Armies of the Third Age and Kingdoms of Middle-earth will be an excellent way for The Hobbit film fans around the world to delve more into the iconic story and interact with the characters in the universe.”

The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-earth is a game for mobile devices that challenges players to build and manage their own kingdom in Middle-earth, joining with other players to explore and engage in epic war.  The Hobbit:  Armies of the Third Age is a browser-based game that puts gamers at the helm of an army of Elves, Dwarves or Orcs, controlling heroes including Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, in fast-paced strategic combat, with the fate of Middle-earth hanging in the balance.  Both games are free to play and will feature iconic locations and characters from The Hobbit Trilogy.