The FlashCanon

We’ve launched a new site today for volume II of the award winning MMORPG, The Lord of the Rings Online. The new expansion, “Mines of Moria” was announced by our friends at Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online earlier this month and it “will expand the online world of Middle-earth to let players explore the ancient underground cities of the dwarves, battle epic characters in the depths, face off with the Watcher, be a part of the fateful release of Durin’s Bane and more!”

After registering on the site, users can play different mini-games which will launch individually over the next couple of months. The first of the games is live now and is called King Under The Mountain. The next two games are Swig & Toss and Eleventy-Seven Morsels. In addition to playing the mini-games, you can also check out the leaderboards, let your friends know about the site and find plenty of information about both The Lord of the Rings Online and obviously the Mines of Moria expansion. So when you get a chance, go check it out.

A couple of quick notes before I wrap up this post:
First, I have to admit that I wasn’t really into MMORPGs before but after being a part of this project and learning about this particular game I think I’m going to start playing this one. Second, I’d like to say thanks, congrats and good job to everyone on the Mines of Moria team here: Paul Medcalf, Guy Stables, Chris (just “Chris”), Jason Moerbe, Jason Steen, Todd Cowden, and anyone else I may not have mentioned (sorry).

So my first full project with Blockdot has launched and it’s a bit of a puzzle for the DVD release of Saw IV. My quick explanation of the game is that you are using a video monitor to watch two people who are trapped in two different rooms. You have 6 items that you can use to free them either before time runs out or before they die from other (not-so-natural) causes. However, keep in mind that you have to use each item in the correct room AND in the correct order or you will surely be the cause of the prisoners’ untimely demise.

So when you get a few minutes to “kill”, go check out Saw IV: Trapped on our game portal, Kewlbox.

By the way, here are the actual rules from the game:

Time to stare death in the face with Trapped, a torture test as horrifying as anything you’ll see in the upcoming Saw IV DVD release.

•Begin play by checking out the blood-splattered video monitor.
•Click the Room 1 button — a camera reveals a man trapped in a dank storage room.
•Click the Room 2 button — a camera reveals another man trapped in a utility room.
•Your goal: Try to free both men by selecting the correct objects for the correct room in the correct order. Make the proper move and Jigsaw will inform you that you’re on the right track to cracking this sadistic set-up…but choose the wrong step and the captives will be killed in unbearably painful ways.
•Nervous? Get over it — and don’t waste time! If the game clock ticks down to zero before your work is done, no one will make it out alive.

Detective Hoffman’s Investigative Tip:
Be sure to toggle between the two rooms and alternate the placement of objects.