A new Lord of the Rings video game is in development and is being described as a direct competitor to Hogwarts Legacy, one of the most successful fantasy games in recent years. Reports suggest the project is being designed on a massive scale to attract a wide audience while staying faithful to Tolkien’s world.
According to Insider Gaming, the unannounced title is backed in part by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, with an estimated budget of around 100 million dollars. The deal is reportedly close to being finalized, and an official announcement could arrive soon.
The companies involved add further intrigue. The Lord of the Rings gaming license is held by Embracer Group, which purchased the rights in 2022. A studio called Revenge is also rumored to be connected to the project. When asked for comment, both Embracer and Revenge declined, with Embracer citing its policy against responding to speculation.
Although many specifics remain under wraps, early descriptions suggest a third-person action game that may follow the open-world RPG model. This direction would be a deliberate attempt to replicate the success of Hogwarts Legacy, which offered players an immersive way to explore the Harry Potter universe.
The comparison is no accident. Hogwarts Legacy launched in 2023 to huge acclaim and topped sales charts worldwide, becoming one of the most talked-about games of the year. Its commercial and cultural success set a new benchmark for fantasy adaptations, showing how deeply fans crave rich, interactive worlds based on beloved stories.
The Lord of the Rings franchise, meanwhile, has seen mixed results in gaming. Shadow of Mordor and its sequel, Shadow of War, earned praise for their innovative combat and Nemesis system. On the other hand, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, released in 2023, was heavily criticized for poor design and performance, damaging confidence in the franchise’s gaming future. More recently, Tales of the Shire tried a lighter, life-simulation approach but received only moderate reviews.
Expectations for this new project are therefore high. To succeed, it will need to offer an authentic Tolkien experience while providing modern gameplay features and technical polish. Fans are particularly interested in whether it can deliver a sense of freedom and choice in exploration without losing the structure of a compelling story.
If the 100 million dollar budget proves accurate, this would be one of the largest investments ever made in a Lord of the Rings game. With that kind of backing, the project could be a turning point for Middle-earth’s presence in gaming, offering an expansive, richly detailed world designed to stand alongside today’s most successful fantasy titles.
For now, all eyes are on the rumored announcement. Should the project be confirmed, it will set the stage for what may become the most ambitious Lord of the Rings game yet, and one with the potential to challenge Hogwarts Legacy for the crown of the most immersive fantasy gaming experience.
This LOTR game looks incredible – I’d love to dive into some Middle-earth adventures!
Helpful post — could you also share examples for beginners?
Looks amazing!
Wow, I want this!
Will it be to the original 🤔 films 🎥? Not sure.
If it’s anything like Shadow of Mordor / Shadow of War I’m in! Lets goooooooooooooooooo.