Amazon, the US tech giant, has announced its plans to create an open-world style video game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic “Lord of the Rings” saga.
The beloved tales of mythical creatures grappling with the enchanting power of the rings have already made a significant mark in the gaming industry, particularly through tie-ins with Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film trilogy from the early 2000s.
Amazon Games revealed on Monday that they are currently working on a massively multiplayer online game (MMO), offering players the freedom to explore virtual worlds and craft their own extraordinary adventures.
With its own game development studio, cloud gaming service called Luna, and the gaming-centric streaming platform Twitch, the colossal company under the ownership of Jeff Bezos has been actively establishing its presence in the gaming market for several years.
Christoph Hartmann, Vice President of Amazon Games, expressed the team’s long-standing desire to present players with a fresh perspective on “The Lord of the Rings.” He also disclosed that Amazon is collaborating with Embracer Group, a holding company that possesses the rights to develop video game adaptations of Tolkien’s works, to bring this game to life.
Lee Guinchard from Freemode, a division of the Embracer Group, emphasized their commitment to meticulously crafting an MMO that faithfully represents the vast Middle-earth universe while captivating players worldwide.
Although Amazon did not reveal specific details such as the title or release date, it is worth noting that the company’s TV offshoot, Amazon Prime Video, is heavily invested in Tolkien’s world, having allocated over $1 billion for its adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings.”
Amazon has already enjoyed success in the realm of open-world games, with the positive reception of their 2021 release, “New World.”
