Amazon Confirms 'Complicated' Reason For Scrapping The Lord Of The Rings MMO
Though we've seen some great games based on the fantasy giant The Lord of the Rings in the past, we've always known that a defining video game experience has been possible.
Now that we've had Elden Ring, we've seen the potential of the fantasy genre in gaming, and that's even ignoring the influence of The Witcher and The Elder Scrolls - and a giant game where players can explore Middle-earth has been at the top of players' wishlists for a very long time.
This game almost came to fruition, with Amazon and Tencent set to work together to build a bold new Massively Multiplayer Online game based on Tolkien's works - but it didn't come to fruition. And now we know why.
Amazon Claims Working With Tencent Was 'Very Complicated'
Click to enlargeThe reason for the scrapping of the long-awaited, potential-laden The Lord of the Rings MMORPG - and it's because the companies involved were simply too big.
The president of Amazon Games Christoph Hartmann has revealed in a new interview with GameSpot that working alongside Tencent presented the problem of two giants of the industry coming together to build a cohesive game.
"We had a deal with a Hong Kong-based company, Leyou; I think it would have been great to work with them. But they later got sold to Tencent and it just got very complicated," he said.
"The question was, sure, maybe could have worked together with Tencent to do something, but I think we're too big as companies to really turn into partners doing a property together where they own the license and we develop the game. So we decided it's better to not work together there. Then we tried to figure something out with both ends, but I think it just dragged on too long."
What's Next For The Lord Of The Rings In Gaming?
If Rings of Power isn't enough to give you your The Lord of the Rings fix, then worry not - because there are still other games set in Middle-earth to tide you over.
The next game set in Tolkien's mythology is The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, a game that was once set to release later this year, but has been pushed back "by a few months" to maintain some polish. We don't have a new solid release date just yet, but chances are it'll be with us early next year.
Any new The Lord of the Rings game is welcome, of course, but it's sad to know that the MMO simply couldn't work out. Maybe next time?
