"We're really not talking about what our console product plans are, but we will be soon," said Lord of the Rings Online's Jeff Steefel when asked specifically if we're going to see a console version of LotRO.

"Soon," as he defined it, would be early next year. He also mentioned that there will be more than one project planned.

According to Steefel, Turbine is currently focused on working with platform holders to pave the way for the first wave of console MMOs, and that Turbine's console plans are still early. They're trying to see exactly what they can expect from an MMO-to-console port and where the consoles and the Internet are headed in general. From there comes the publishing model and then the business model.

"It's never been done before," claimed Steefel. Hence the wait.

I'm going to assume by "never been done before," he means something other than games like Everquest Online Adventures (PS2) and Final Fantasy XI (PS2). Good luck Jeff.

LotRO was released by the end of 2007 and is a pretty decent title with largely positive reviews. It's recognized as a veritable haven for role players but less than ideal for the PvP-centric. Give it a go if the game calls out to you. The next expansion, Mines of Moria, ships out on November 18th.

---

Related Lord of the Rings Online articles:

• Turbine job ad hints at next-gen MMO project; LOTRO port?