Amazon is creating a ‘Lord of the Rings’ MMO
Amazon has reached a deal with Embracer Group, the corporate that holds the IP rights for “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” to launch a massively multiplayer on-line (MMO) recreation based mostly on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The upcoming recreation will likely be an open-world MMO journey set in Center-earth, that includes the tales of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” literary trilogy.
The sport is in early levels of manufacturing with the Amazon Video games Orange County studio, which is similar studio behind the MMO New World. Amazon Video games will publish the sport globally for PC and consoles. Amazon says it’ll reveal further particulars, together with launch timing, at a later date.
Though Amazon Studios produces “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy” for Prime Video, Amazon says the present is unrelated to this upcoming MMO recreation in improvement with Amazon Video games.
“We’re dedicated to bringing gamers high-quality video games, whether or not by unique IPs or long-beloved ones like The Lord of the Rings,” mentioned Christoph Hartmann, the vp Amazon Video games, a press release. “Bringing gamers a contemporary tackle The Lord of the Rings has lengthy been an aspiration for our staff, and we’re honored and grateful that Center-earth Enterprises is entrusting us with this iconic world. We’re additionally happy to be increasing our relationship with Embracer Group following our Tomb Raider deal final yr, as they’ve confirmed to be wonderful collaborators.”
It’s price noting that the upcoming recreation will likely be Amazon’s second go at a Lord of the Rings MMO. The corporate’s first try was introduced in 2019 after which cancelled in 2021. The sport was being co-developed by Amazon, Athlon Video games, and Leyou. The venture was shelved after a disagreement between Amazon and Tencent, which acquired Leyou in 2020.
The information of the upcoming recreation comes as Amazon is furthering its push into video video games and transforming its technique. Earlier this yr, the corporate laid off around 100 employees throughout its video video games division. The layoffs included staff within the Recreation Progress group, Amazon’s San Diego gaming studio and Prime Gaming.
Amazon Video games’ lineup consists of the internally developed MMO New World and motion role-playing recreation Misplaced Ark. The corporate can be creating a brand new multiplatform “Tomb Raider” title. Launched in 2013, Amazon Video games has but to provide a serious hit regardless of a number of printed tasks. The corporate is now trying to prepare dinner up successful with a serious fantasy franchise title that may possible garner consideration.