The Hobbit Film Trilogy To Be Supported By Two Free-To-Play Games

The Hobbit trilogy of films will be supported by two free-to-play strategy tie-in games from developer Kabam, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have announced. The first game, The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-earth is being developed for mobile platforms, while the second title, The Hobbit: Armies of the Third Age, will be for browsers.

"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," said Greg Ballard, senior vice president of digital games at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

In The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-earth players will have to build and maintain a kingdom set in Middle-earth. The Hobbit: Armies of the Third Age will allow players to control iconic heroes like Gandalf, Legolas, and Thorin Oakenshield to build and lead armies of Elves, Dwarves, or Orcs in to battle to defend the realm. I'd love to see Bilbo Baggins leading an Orcish army! Both titles are set to launch this fall, and you can already sign up for the Armies of the Third Age beta.

The first film in The Hobbit trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is coming to theaters on December 14, 2012 and I can't wait. You can catch the trailer after the break.