LOTR demo hitting XBL

No Xbox 360 owner is going to complain that there are too many demos available for download over Xbox Live Marketplace. Apparently Electronic Arts also believes that there can't be too many demos either, as the publisher continues to roll out demos of each 360 game it has on store shelves, and even one that hasn't yet made it to retail.

That trend continues, as GameSpot News has learned that a demo for Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II is scheduled to be released Thursday, July 13. The exact time of its availability has not yet been announced.

The trial will feature both single- and multiplayer and take gamers into the War in the North campaign. Console real-time strategy games will likely be unfamiliar to most, so EA has included a tutorial to show players how to use the 360's controller to direct their legions.

The single-player portion of the demo will feature the first mission in the evil campaign, and have players siege an Elven stronghold. The multiplayer portion offers one-on-one battles over Xbox Live, pitting Elven and Goblin armies against each other.

The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II was released last week, is rated T for Teen, and retails for $59.99.