Subj : Amazon sets its sights on Lord of the Rings for new MMO project
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon May 15 2023 16:45:03

Amazon sets its sights on Lord of the Rings for new MMO project

Date:
Mon, 15 May 2023 15:35:35 +0000

Description:
An agreement has been reached to allow Amazon Games to develop a new MMO set 
in the world of The Lord of the Rings.

FULL STORY
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Amazon Games has announced a new agreement with Middle-earth Enterprises, a 
subdivision of Freemode, to develop and publish a brand new game set in 
J.R.R. Tolkiens legendary Lord of the Rings setting. Despite this 
announcement being pretty fresh, we know that this next venture into 
Middle-earth will be an MMO. 

The CEO of Freemode (a subdivision of Embracer Group), Lee Guinchard, said, 
"the world of Middle-earth continues to prove an endlessly fertile ground for 
creators, and Amazon Games has a passion for building immersive, compelling 
worlds and publishing games for a global audience. 

In a press release describing the project, Amazon Games announced that the 
title would be an open-world MMO adventure in a persistent world set in 
Middle-earth, featuring the beloved stories of The Hobbit and The Lord of the 
Rings literary trilogy. The game is in the early stages of production, with 
Amazon Games Orange Countymakers of the popular open-world MMO game New World 
leading development. Amazon Games will publish the game globally for PC and 
consoles. Additional details, including launch timing, will be shared at a 
later date. A new, old world (Image credit: Middle-earth Enterprises) 

This is not Amazons first attempt to produce an MMO in J.R.R. Tolkiens 
timeless setting. The studio actually canceled a previous MMO project in 
April 2021 due to disputes with Chinese multinational technology and 
entertainment conglomerate Tencent ( via NME ). Amazon originally had an 
agreement with Hong Kong-based company Leyou to develop the title, however, 
once Tencent acquired Leyou, Amazon Games opted to turn its back on the 
project. 

As a fan of The Lord of The Rings, I will confess that this news makes me a 
little nervous. Though very ambitious, Amazon Games previously internally 
developed MMO, New World , has endured a mediocre reception, not to mention a 
slew of criticism for its emphasis on colonialism. 

Theres every possibility that the folks behind New World have learned 
valuable lessons 

 The Lord of The Rings is a myth about small acts of kindness and heroism 
overcoming a great evil. It has a very special place in the hearts of fans, 
and I would hate to see it suffer the indignity of a mediocre adaptation. The 
Lord of The Rings Online by Standing Stone Games (first developed by Turbine, 
now WB Games Boston) is a lovingly crafted and faithful recreation of 
Tolkiens world  a cult classic that has been going on for 16 years. 
Comparisons to this heartfelt title will inevitably ensure that Amazon Games 
will have its work cut out for it. 

However, theres every possibility that the folks behind New World have 
learned valuable lessons from the titles failures, and are in a position to 
craft something special. We wont know until more details emerge. Take-Two 
reveals new Lord of the Rings game, promising a 'different' time in 
Middle-earth



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/news/amazon-sets-its-sights-on-lord-of-the-rings-for
-new-mmo-project


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