Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has today announced Guardians of Middle-earth, a new multiplayer online battle arena being developed by Monolith Productions. Set to debut later this year, the MOBA title will be exclusive to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.

Guardians of Middle-earth brings up to 10 players together in five versus five competitive multiplayer battle arenas in the epic setting of Middle-earth. The game offers more than 20 iconic guardians, including Gandalf, Sauron, Gollum, Thráin and many more, for players to control in player versus player (PVP) matches.

Gamers will have the ability to connect with other players via an in-game voice communication system, as well as access to a comprehensive online stat and leader board system where they can track friends’ victories and defeats, and more.

“The MOBA genre is wildly popular with PC players and we are excited to bring it to consoles through the lore of Middle-earth,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development at WBIE. “The heroes and villains of Middle-earth are crafted in a way that perfectly intersects with MOBA game features, allowing the development team to create guardians with deep skills and abilities for gamers to master.”

What is also of interest to fans of the Middle Earth universe is that the game will feature tie-ins to the upcoming film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Jounrey, which is being directed by Peter Jackson. Playes can expect several new playable characters that coincide with the release of the blockbuster film.

Guardians of Middle-earth will be available later this year for 1200 Microsoft Points in the Xbox Live Marketplace and $23.95 in the PlayStation Network.