Weta Workshop, famously known for its stunning work on Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, is venturing into new territory with its very first home console game, “Tales of the Shire.” This project, published by the former Take-Two subsidiary Private Division, draws inspiration from the celebrated “Lord of the Rings” universe. Yet, it stands out distinctly from previous games in the series. In “Tales of the Shire,” players get to immerse themselves in a cozy life simulation, living the peaceful life of a hobbit in the Shire. There’s no combat, no intense drama—just a charming experience akin to playing “Animal Crossing” or “Fantasy Life” rather than a typical high-octane action-adventure.
The platforms set to host “Tales of the Shire” include the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC. Though initially aimed for a 2024 release, the game has faced two delays. Originally penciled in for March 25, 2025, Weta Workshop and Private Division have now shifted the release date to July 29, 2025. As this marks Weta Workshop’s debut in the console gaming arena, the stakes are incredibly high. And with expectations mounting, especially since a sequel to one of the finest “Lord of the Rings” games remains off the table, the pressure is indeed palpable.
In an unexpected move, Warner Bros. Interactive recently announced the closure of Monolith Productions, the creators behind the exceptional Middle-earth games. This news sent ripples through the gaming community, considering Monolith’s significant contributions over its 30-year history. Known for hit titles like “The Operative: No One Lives Forever,” “Condemned: Criminal Origins,” “F.E.A.R.,” and “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor,” Monolith left an indelible mark. Before its closure, Monolith was working on a “Wonder Woman” game, which sadly was shelved.
Monolith’s departure marks a significant shift as it was among the few AAA developers crafting “Lord of the Rings” games. Recent adaptations have largely shifted towards smaller-scale or mobile projects. The two blockbuster titles, “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” and its 2017 sequel, “Shadow of War,” stand as the last AAA single-player adaptations from Monolith, with no successors in sight for the foreseeable future.
The “Lord of the Rings” franchise hasn’t had the smoothest journey in gaming recently. Titles like “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum” and “The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria” received mixed or downright poor receptions. As for upcoming releases, apart from the much-anticipated “Tales of the Shire” and Amazon Games’ untitled Lord of the Rings MMO, there’s little on the horizon to excite fans.
Given this backdrop, all eyes are on Weta Workshop to deliver with “Tales of the Shire.” With the possibly extended absence of major Lord of the Rings projects from Warner Bros., and limited studios working on the franchise, this game could be among the precious few single-player experiences coming up. One can only hope the added development time helps Weta Workshop address any lingering issues to ensure a successful launch and avoid pitfalls like those seen in recent flops.
