EA has announced that Lord of the Rings: Conquest will ship January 9th, 2009 internationally and then in the US on January 13th, 2009.

It’s created by Pandemic and in the same vein as their Star Wars: Battlefront titles where you take part in a larger battle, and can play for either side in what amounts to giant capture the flag games as you try to hold points and respawn centers.

The games have always been a decent experience, so hopefully the graphics will be sharp and the controlsfurther refined, etc.

But what I really want to know is, why are e getting it later than the rest of the world?  This is America damn it.  Everything comes out here first.  What the hell?  Did we lose a war?

Press Release. Jump.

“LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pandemic™ Studios, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today that The Lord of the Rings: Conquest™ for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION^®3 computer entertainment system, PC and Nintendo DS™ platforms, will ship January 9, 2009 internationally and January 13, 2009 in the U.S.

In a partnership with New Line Cinema and The Saul Zaentz Company, The Lord of the Rings: Conquest is an action-packed game created by the same Pandemic Studios team behind the best-selling Star Wars Battlefront™ and Star Wars Battlefront™ II titles. Set in “The Lord of the Rings” universe of J.R.R. Tolkien as depicted by the Academy Award^®-winning films, players will finally fight the entirety of these epic battles any way they want. In addition to crusading as the heroic forces of good, for the first time ever in a ‘The Lord of the Rings’ action title they’ll conquer Middle-earth while playing as the legions of Sauron’s evil army, including Cave-trolls, Oliphaunts, the Balrog and Sauron himself.

“We have been working hard to create a ‘The Lords of the Rings’ experience like no other,” says Andrew Goldman, Pandemic Studios co-founder and general manager. “And we are excited to finally confirm the launch of The Lord of the Rings: Conquest to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and Star Wars Battlefront fans alike.”

“Players will finally be able to fight through Middle-earth along the frontlines of good or evil,” says Josh Resnick, co-founder and general manager at Pandemic Studios. “And what ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fan hasn’t fantasized about joining Sauron’s army to slay Hobbits?”

Fans of The Lord of the Rings universe can also participate in a Battle for the Ring community program. The social network offers activities for members to virtually fight against good or evil and earn temporary ownership of the Ring.

For more information about the Battle for the Ring program and The Lord of the Rings: Conquest game, please visit: http://www.pandemicstudios.com/conquest.”