The Lord of the Rings has become a cultural phenomenon, with its influence extending beyond just literature and cinema. It has also made an impact in the world of miniature gaming, with numerous games released since the 1970s. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of Lord of the Rings miniature gaming and how it has evolved over the years.
1970s-1990s: Early beginnings
In the early 1970s, Games Workshop began as a small retail store in London, selling board games and miniatures. In 1975, they released their first game, War Game, which was a set of rules for miniature battles. The game was followed by a number of other titles, including Rogue Trader, which was the first edition of Warhammer 40,000.
In 1983, Games Workshop secured the rights to produce miniatures based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The first miniatures were released in 1985, with the first rulebook following in 1987. The game was called "The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game", or simply "The Lord of the Rings" (LotR), and it quickly became popular among gamers and Tolkien fans alike.
Over the next decade, Games Workshop released numerous expansions and supplements for LotR, expanding the range of available miniatures and adding new rules and scenarios. The game's popularity continued to grow, with players forming clubs and organizing tournaments around the world.
2000s: The New Line Cinema era
In the early 2000s, New Line Cinema released a series of highly successful Lord of the Rings films, directed by Peter Jackson. Games Workshop took advantage of the renewed interest in the franchise, releasing a new line of miniatures and rulebooks to coincide with the films.
The new range of miniatures was designed to be more movie-accurate, with a greater emphasis on detail and realism. Games Workshop also released a new set of rules, called "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers", which was based on the second film in the trilogy.
The films proved to be a massive boost for the game, attracting a new generation of players who were drawn in by the spectacular battles and iconic characters. The game continued to grow in popularity, with Games Workshop releasing additional supplements based on the third film, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King".
2010s: The Hobbit era
In 2012, the first of a new trilogy of films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit" was released. Once again, Games Workshop released a new range of miniatures and rulebooks to coincide with the films.
The Hobbit range of miniatures was designed to be more dynamic and cinematic, with many of the models featuring dynamic poses and intricate details. Games Workshop also released a new set of rules, called "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", which was based on the first film in the trilogy.
Despite the success of the films, the game began to experience a decline in popularity, with fewer players attending tournaments and less interest in the range of miniatures. In 2018, Games Workshop announced that they would be discontinuing the range of Lord of the Rings and Hobbit miniatures, with the exception of a few select models that would be merged into the broader Middle-earth range.
2020s: Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game
In 2018, Games Workshop announced the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game, a rebranding of the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game to incorporate elements from The Hobbit trilogy of films. This new edition brought updated rules, new models, and a revamped starter set.
Despite some bumps in the road, the Lord of the Rings miniature gaming scene remains strong and vibrant, with dedicated fans and players around the world. The game has even spawned its own international tournament scene, with events such as the Middle-earth Grand Tournament and the Throne of Skulls.
As we look to the future, it's clear that the Lord of the Rings miniature gaming hobby will continue to evolve and grow. With a dedicated fanbase and a wealth of source material to draw from, there's no telling where the game will go next. But one thing is for sure: the journey will be a thrilling one.
In conclusion, the Lord of the Rings miniature gaming hobby has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the early 2000s. What started as a small game with a handful of models has grown into a beloved and thriving community, with players and fans all over the world. From the early days of metal miniatures to the modern era of plastic kits and updated rules, the Lord of the Rings miniature gaming scene has always remained true to its roots as a celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy world.
