Amazon Still Eyeing A Lord Of The Rings Game After Reported MMO Cancellation

"“Our creative team continues to explore a compelling new game experience that does justice to Tolkien's world; we are working closely with Middle-earth and remain excited about the IP.”"

"The MMO project with Embracer was announced “before talking to any developers,” a source said, adding that the game had only “one or two” people working on it as a side project for “many years.” According to the source, only a single piece of concept art was created for the project. However, when Amazon said it was winding down its other MMO, New World, the company reportedly planned to re-assign staffers to The Lord of the Rings MMO. But that effort did not work out, either."

"This was Amazon's second attempt at a The Lord of the Rings MMO, as the company previously partnered with Leyou for an MMO based on the popular series. It was abruptly canceled in 2021, with former Amazon Games boss Christoph Hartmann explaining that the game fell apart when Leyou was sold to Tencent."

"While Amazon's The Lord of the Rings MMOs are no longer happening, it's been reported that Kingdom Come developer Warhorse and Tomb Raider studio Crystal Dynamics are each working on their own The Lord of the Rings games. Embracer, which owns the gaming rights to the fantasy series and both of those studios, has said it wants to see a renaissance for The Lord of the Rings games, so it makes sense that there could b"

Amazon Games confirmed it has not stopped efforts to create a new Lord of the Rings game. Jeff Grattis said the creative team continues exploring a compelling new game experience that fits Tolkien’s world, working closely with Middle-earth and remaining excited about the IP. Multiple MMO attempts in Middle-earth did not reach completion. An MMO planned with Embracer was reported canceled in October 2025 amid wider layoffs, after entering pre-production only months earlier. Earlier plans with Leyou were canceled in 2021 after Leyou was sold to Tencent. Amazon also planned to reassign staff from New World to the Lord of the Rings MMO, but that effort did not succeed. Separate Lord of the Rings projects are reportedly being developed by Warhorse and Crystal Dynamics under Embracer’s rights.

Read at GameSpot