Updated Article – September 23rd 2024
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game is now set to launch in 2025, with a March 25th release date on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC confirmed.
“Wētā Workshop has been trusted with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe for more than 25 years, and over that time we have built up a deep understanding of the lore and a real love of Middle-earth that flows through our creative work across screen, collectibles and now, our cosy sims games,” said Richard Taylor, Co-founder and CEO at Wētā Workshop. “Tales of the Shire allows us to inspire our talents in an entirely new medium and, ultimately, create this game for people just like us – fans of The Lord of the Rings. This is a beautiful way that players who are looking for a quieter, more peaceful time can discover this in a less explored corner of this universe.”
“The Lord of the Rings is an extraordinary world, beloved by hundreds of millions, and people have been clamoring for a game to bring the community, fellowship, and warmth of the Shire to life,” said Eric Correll, Vice President, Head of Marketing at Private Division. “In Tales of the Shire, Wētā Workshop has created the countryside village of Bywater like no one else could do, and we can’t wait for gamers to unwind, relax, and explore.”
Take in the release date trailer below.
Original Article – April 22nd 2024
A new The Lord of the Rings Game? I mean, the last one went sooooo well… But yes, that’s exactly what we have in Tales of the Shire, and it plans to come to Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC to deliver a cosy little Hobbit life sim. This one shouldn’t be anything like Gollum…
Set to release in the second half of 2024, Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game has today been announced. It’ll land on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam.
A new The Lord of the Rings game
From Private Division (the publishing label of Take-Two Interactive), and Wētā Workshop, previously having worked on the world of Middle-earth for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, comes Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game. This is a cosy Hobbit life sim set in the Middle-earth universe of J.R.R. Tolkien.
In Tales of the Shire, you’ll get to experience the storybook return to Middle-earth’s most inviting region by living life as a Hobbit in the idyllic town of Bywater. It’ll see you unwinding in the breathtaking pastures, visiting the townsfolks’ local shops, and enjoying a second breakfast. You’ll get to help bring the community together and achieve official village status by throwing the greatest Bywater Festival the Shire has ever seen!
“We’re excited to provide players with the opportunity to fulfil their fantasy of living their own humble Hobbit life in the Shire,” said Kelly Tyson, Head of Product at Wētā Workshop. “Tales of the Shirebrings a cosy new dimension to the way fans can experience Middle-earth, with plenty of wholesome, Hobbit-centric gameplay to win-over newcomers to the genre.”
A Hobbit life
Drop in later in 2024 and you’ll find the opportunity to create and personalise a Hobbit with an array of customisations to experience the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved Middle-earth universe your own way. You’ll get to settle in and decorate a cosy Hobbit home, choosing from an array of furniture and home décor to create your unique, humble abode. And from there comes the great outdoors, taking in cooking, fishing, foraging, gardening, and more relaxing activities in the Shire. Expect to be found tossing your lure to catch trout from the glistening waters of Bywater Pool, gathering wild mushrooms, and then making the most of the collected ingredients to bake a succulent pie to serve for luncheon.
And of course, in Tales of the Shire, you’ll get to explore the Shire and build relationships with the Bywater locals by helping them to build a garden, sharing one of the many daily Hobbit meals, and more.
“The team at Wētā Workshop is creating a brilliant representation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved works that gives players the agency to create their own Hobbit experience in Middle-earth,” said Michael Worosz, Chief Strategy Officer, Take-Two Interactive, and Head of Private Division. “Players have been clamoring for a warm and inviting The Lord of the Rings game for years now, and it’s exactly what we’re delivering with Tales of the Shire.”
When does Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game release
Middle-earth Enterprises have licensed the literary works of The Lord of the Rings series, providing Wētā Workshop Game Studio with the broadest creative license to interpret the underlying lore of the books.
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game is coming later in 2024. It’ll release on Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. Will you be heading off on this adventure?
