An untitled Lord of the Rings massively-multiplayer online game was in development for a time by Amazon Games and Leyou Technologies before its cancellation in April of 2021.[1][2]
Plot[]
The game was to be based on the books rather than on Peter Jackson’s film trilogy,[3] and would have taken place "long before J.R.R. Tolkien's novels", featuring "lands, people, and creatures never seen before by fans of the Tolkien universe."[4]
Development[]
The game was announced in September 2018. The project was greenlit, according to Leyou Technologies, "in light of the resurgence of interest in The Lord of the Rings IP."[5]
The game was planned for release on both PC and console. Its development team was made up of MMO veterans who worked on titles such as EverQuest, World of Warcraft,[6] Planetside, and Destiny.[3]
On April 17, 2021, Amazon announced the game had been canceled due to contract disputes with Tencent Holdings Ltd., which purchased Leyou in 2020.[2]
It is likely that much of the project has been renewed in Amazon Games' new, forthcoming The Lord of the Rings MMO in development that was announced in May 2023.[7]
References[]
- ↑ Whitbrook, James (July 11, 2019). Amazon Has Set Its Sights On That New Lord Of The Rings MMO. Gizmondo. Retrieved on 2019-07-11
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.ign.com/articles/amazon-cancels-its-the-lord-of-the-rings-mmorpg
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kim, Matt (July 11, 2019). Amazon Game Studios is Developing a Lord of the Rings MMORPG. IGN. Retrieved on 2019-07-11
- ↑ Cripe, Michael (July 10, 2019). Amazon Game Studios, Leylou Creating ‘AAA’ Lord of the Rings MMORPG. The Escapist. Retrieved on 2019-11-07
- ↑ Wales, Matt (July 10, 2019). Amazon is co-developing a free-to-play Lord of the Rings MMO. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 2019-07-11
- ↑ Shanley, Patrick (July 10, 2019). 'Lord of the Rings' Online Multiplayer Game in the Works at Amazon. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 2019-07-11
- ↑ About Amazon - Amazon Games and Embracer Group’s Middle-earth Enterprises strike deal for new 'The Lord of the Rings' Game May 15, 2023