The Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game PC release date announced, digital and physical bundle incoming

The Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game’s free-to-play digital edition has finally been given a release date.

First announced late last year as the debut title from Fantasy Flight’s new Interactive studio, The Lord of the Rings: LCG is based on the tabletop co-op adventure title (which has the subtitle The Card Game) and follows a similar format of pitting players’ characters and decks against a series of encounters in Middle-earth, forming scenario-driven campaigns.

The game will launch into Early Access on Steam on August 28th, including the first campaign, Adventures in Mirkwood, as well as four heroes and the cards from the starter set.

The game will only be single-player during its Early Access period, which is planned to take between three to five months. The full free-to-play release will include two additional campaigns and support for multiplayer, as well as various other features and improvements.

To mark the game’s impending release, Fantasy Flight has put together an intriguing Limited Collector’s Edition, which combines early access to the digital app with a revised physical starter box for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game featuring new artwork and exclusive heroes, plus some other goodies such as art prints, soundtrack, playmat, in-game cosmetics and card packs, and a One Ring replica. The set will cost $100 (£75) in the US.

It’s worth noting here that while the Collector’s Edition will be one way to get into the Early Access release, it’s not the only way. Anyone who buys one of The Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game’s Founder’s Packs (all of which are included in the Collector’s Edition) on Steam will gain access. The packs start at $8 (£6) and go up to $30 (£23), with a $48 (£36) bundle of all three available.