Tales of the Shire: Wētā Workshop’s Lord of the Rings-Inspired Video Game Is Coming Soon

It’s exciting news for Lord of the Rings fans and gamers alike. Wētā Workshop, the legendary special effects studio behind the iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy, has teamed up with publisher Private Division to bring us a brand new adventure set in the enchanting world of Middle-earth. Tales of the Shire is the game everyone needs right now: a chance to immerse yourself in the peaceful heart of the Shire and live life as a Hobbit.

Wētā Workshop has made quite a name for itself since its humble beginning as a two-person enterprise. Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger, the New Zealand-based company now boasts an exceptionally talented creative team that has delivered some of the most impressive and immersive special effects, props, costume designs, weapons, armor, prosthetics, gadgets, and robots in recent cinema history. Wētā’s resume includes James Cameron’s Avatar and its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, Mad Max: Fury Road, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Dune. And that’s only naming a few. It has also been involved in the TV series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, whose second season will hopefully be released later this year.

So when news broke that Wētā would be stepping further into Middle-earth to produce a video game, fans were more than excited. The level of detail, care, and love that we have come to associate with Wētā’s creative work is already evident in the Tales of the Shire game trailer released last week. The game promises us immersion in the picturesque landscapes of the Shire and the rich tapestry of Hobbit life. Many are describing it as a “cozy game”, setting it apart from previous Lord of the Rings games, which have centered on war, strategy, and stealth. As Gandalf says in the trailer, “There are many tales of Middle-earth. Tales of courage and brave deeds in dark times. But that is not our story.” 

Players will create their own Hobbit and integrate with the little town of Bywater, which is working to get “official village status” in the Shire. The game is expected to be highly customizable, allowing players to decide how their Hobbit spends their days, decorates their home, and spends time with friends, as well as take the time to explore and enjoy the beauty of the Shire. Players will forage for food, forge friendships, fish, garden, cook meals for friends, and explore the peaceful, idyllic countryside surrounding the town. According to some reports, we may also encounter some of our favorite Middle-earth characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo Baggins, and Frodo.

According to the Weta Workshop website, Tales of the Shire will be launched in the second half of 2024 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. With its beautiful animation, peaceful gameplay, and deep love for Middle-earth history and lore, Wētā’s new game has every appearance of being another exciting entry in The Lord of the Rings franchise.

Are you looking forward to living life as a Hobbit in Tales of the Shire? Let us know in the comment section below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all things gaming, TV & movies, online deals, and more.

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