Amazon Game Studios has unveiled plans to collaborate with Leyou Technologies and Middle-earth Enterprises to develop and publish a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online game based on The Lord of the Rings. The game will be available for console and PC, although the title and release date are yet to be disclosed.
The game, set within the universe of Middle-earth as depicted in The Lord of the Rings literary trilogy, promises fans worldwide an immersive experience for epic exploration of Tolkien’s expansive world. This project is separate from a new Amazon Original TV series, also based on The Lord of the Rings, which Amazon Studios is concurrently developing for Prime Video.
The development of the game will be jointly undertaken by Amazon Game Studios and Leyou, with Amazon Game Studios responsible for marketing and publishing the title worldwide, excluding China. In China, Leyou will manage the game’s release. This collaboration combines Amazon’s advanced game technology and skilled MMO developers with Leyou’s expertise in creating free-to-play and operating live-service games.
Christoph Hartmann, VP of Amazon Game Studios, expressed the studio’s commitment to delivering games of the highest quality, whether they are based on original IP or revered cultural cornerstones like The Lord of the Rings. “Tolkien’s Middle-earth is one of the richest fictional worlds in history,” he stated, “and it provides our team of experienced MMO developers, from the same studio developing New World, with a remarkable opportunity to innovate and create.”
Alex Xu, CEO of Leyou Technologies Holdings, echoed Hartmann’s sentiments, emphasizing that combining resources and expertise with Amazon, known for its customer-centric approach, technology, and talented teams, will likely result in a compelling game that will captivate and engage players for years.
Fredrica Drotos, Chief Brand and Licensing Officer at Middle-earth Enterprises, also expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the enduring appeal of Tolkien’s world. “Who among us hasn’t wanted to take part in an epic adventure?” she asked. “More than 60 years after the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring, we’re thrilled that Amazon Game Studios has partnered with Leyou to apply their combined expertise and build a much-anticipated game that will immerse us in the beloved, epic world of Middle-earth, as envisioned by Professor Tolkien.”
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