New Third-Person ‘Lord of the Rings’ Action Game Reportedly Enters Early Development

A new Lord of the Rings video game is reportedly in early development, sources claim, according to Insider Gaming. The game is said to be a third-person action title and aims to compete with popular releases like Hogwarts Legacy.

According to sources familiar with the project, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) may provide funding for the game, estimated at around $100 million.

While the deal has been in discussion since last year, it hasn’t been finalized yet. The agreement could be officially announced as early as next week. For now, development is being funded internally.

Multiple companies are reportedly involved, including Embracer and Revenge, along with other studios. Embracer acquired the video game rights to The Lord of the Rings franchise in 2022 for nearly $400 million and has since licensed out the IP to different developers, including for the much-criticized The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.

When contacted, Embracer said, “a general rule, we do not comment on rumors or speculation.” Revenge also declined to comment.

While details about the new game are scarce, the focus on third-person action suggests it will mix exploration, combat, and story-driven elements, likely drawing inspiration from the rich lore of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings franchise has a long history in video gaming, dating back to the early 1980s. Early adaptations were text-based or simple role-playing games. Over the decades, titles have ranged from strategy games and RPGs to action-adventure titles.

Notable examples include the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor series, which introduced the acclaimed Nemesis system, and The Lord of the Rings Online, a long-running MMORPG. Despite some successes, certain recent games, like Gollum, faced criticism for technical issues and underwhelming gameplay.

This new project could mark a fresh start for the franchise in gaming, with ambitions to deliver a high-quality experience on par with modern fantasy action titles.

It will be interesting to see how this new game balances the lore of Middle-earth with current gaming trends. Could this be the Lord of the Rings game fans have been waiting for? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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