Electronic Arts has announced development of a new Lord of the Rings game called The White Council.

The new role playing game will be developed for the Xbox360, PlayStation 3 and PC and is inspired by the film trilogy that has grossed more than $3 billion to date.

Players will have the freedom to explore the open world of Tolkien’s Middle-earth and can choose their role as a man, an elf, a dwarf, or a hobbit. Each role’s destiny is to become a hero allied with the White Council, whose members include the famed characters Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel, and Elrond.

Expect to be able to play the game Christmas 2007.

>> EA - Official website of EA