It looks like Amazon Games is attempting a second try on a video game based on The Lord of the Rings. It's going to be a massively multiplayer online game and is currently in the early stages of production. This upcoming title features a world set in Middle-earth and beloved stories of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Ringsliterary trilogy.
This upcoming title is made possible through a partnership between Amazon Games and Middle-earth Enterprises, a subsidiary of Embracer Group, with the development led by the Amazon Games Orange County, the studio responsible for New World.
This announcement is seen as a surprise considering that in 2021, Amazon canceled the development of a Lord of the Rings game. Back then, various reports revealed that the cancellation was due to being unable to get the terms to move forward with the project. In simple terms, Amazon probably wasn't able to get permission from the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien.
While it is indeed a surprise that Amazon Games is once again taking a shot at developing an LOTR video game, the move to partner with studios to release new titles is likely expected by those following what the company has been doing. Amazon Games has entered into publishing agreements with Bandai Namco Online for Blue Protocol, NCSOFT for Throne and Liberty, and Crystal Dynamics for a new Tomb Raider game. There are also unannounced titles with Glowmade and Disruptive Games.
In a statement, Christoph Hartmann of Amazon Games revealed that their team had long wanted to offer a fresh take on The Lord of the Rings. He added that they're both honored and grateful to have been given the opportunity to work on this iconic world.
Meanwhile, Lee Guinchard of Freemode shared that Middle-earth remains to be a source for creators and Amazon Games has long shown its passion in building immersive and compelling worlds for a global audience.
Rich Lawrence, director of the Amazon Games Orange County studio, said that the chance of building a vast and connected world for this fantasy franchise is exciting and that it is also a responsibility that the team is not taking lightly. He added that it is important to be respectful and authentic to the source material, so that when a fan plays the game for the first time, they can say that the game was made by "people who lived in this world" just like they do.
More details about this upcoming title will be released soon.
