The new AAA game The Lord of the Rings announced on PS5, Xbox Series and PC, is set to surprise in many ways. The vice-president of Amazon Games warns about the vision of this title.
After almost 10 years of absence, the world of Middle-earth returns in force. The universe created by JRR Tolkien is tearing itself apart and, surprise, a huge new Lord of the Rings game is in development at the premises of Amazon Games Orange County. From the creators of the hit MMO New World. An ambitious project that will respect the original material? Maybe, maybe not.
Amazon Games’ Lord of the Rings game will take liberties
Whenever we talk about an adaptation, there is always this question of fidelity that comes up. Especially for Lord of the Rings. Because if The Lord of the Rings feature films have been acclaimed, this is less the case for The Hobbit trilogy and The Rings of Power series. Part of the public notably rejected the treatment of Galadriel in the Prime Video show. But these changes compared to Tolkien’s work, you will have to get used to it.
Amazon Games VP Christoph Hartmann says the upcoming Lords of the Rings game will take liberties if needed. And too bad if an environment or other does not correspond to the description of the books or to the idea that readers have of them.
Within our team, we have hardcore Lord of the Rings fans. And they’re already saying “we can’t do that because Middle-earth Enterprises won’t let us, and we can’t change the story, introduce new characters, or rewrite the books.” However, for me, it is very important that it is first a game in its own right, then in a second time, a reflection of the books. So even if we have to remain faithful, I always remind the team that it is not necessary for each person to go and check whether such and such a detail corresponds to 100%. Take for example the way Tolkien describes the world, maybe an environment will be a bit different because we don’t get the same result or because the team has their own idea about a landscape, which may differ from the idea people have of it.
Via GamesRadar.
A huge world like the franchise
The other surprise of this new Lords of the Rings game is the involvement of Amazon Games. Because in 2021, the firm canceled an MMORPG Lord of the Rings. Apart from that, it will also be an MMORPG in which players can “find the iconic stories of The Hobbit and the original Lord of the Rings trilogy”. A project that hopes to replicate the success of New World or Lost Ark.
We are committed to providing our players with high quality games, whether with original franchises or through licenses loved by all, like here with The Lord of the Rings. Our teams have long aspired to offer players something new in the Lord of the Rings universe. We are happy and proud of the trust placed in us by Middle-Earth Enterprises. We are also delighted to extend our collaboration with Embracer Group, a few months after having already concluded an agreement on the Tomb Raider license together..
Christoph Hartmann, Vice President Amazon Games, via press release.
For the release date, it is still far too early. The press release stating that this unreleased Lord of the Rings game is in “its first stages of production”. See you in a few years…
