New Lord of the Rings Game Aims to Rival Hogwarts Legacy

Last Updated: November 20, 2025

A new age for Middle-earth gaming may be dawning. An ambitious, large-scale Lord of the Rings game is reportedly in active development, built as a third-person action experience.

According to reports, this unannounced and currently untitled game represents a significant investment in the beloved fantasy universe. The project is backed by substantial funding, positioning it as a major AAA release for the franchise. While official details remain under wraps, the information points toward a title designed to deliver the kind of expansive, high-fidelity single-player adventure that fans have been clamoring for.

What We Know About the New Middle-earth Project

While the game has not been officially announced by a publisher or developer, credible reports have sketched the first outlines of what players can expect. The information suggests a project with immense scope and the financial backing to realize its vision.

Here’s a breakdown of the key details that have emerged so far:

• Genre: The game is described as a third-person action title. This aligns it with some of the most successful games in the fantasy genre, including previous Middle-earth hits like the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor series.
• Scale: The project is being developed with the explicit ambition to "compete with Hogwarts Legacy." This comparison suggests a large, immersive world, deep lore integration, and high production values.
• Funding: A significant portion of the game's funding is reportedly coming from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), with an investment figure circling the $100 million mark. This level of financial commitment underscores the serious intent behind the project and its AAA aspirations. Recent reports indicate that the ADIO is increasingly interested in investing in gaming and esports ventures, making this a potentially strategic partnership.

This combination of a popular genre, ambitious scale, and massive financial backing indicates that the stakeholders behind this game are aiming to create a definitive and commercially powerful interactive experience in Tolkien's world.

The "Hogwarts Legacy" Connection Explained

The comparison to Hogwarts Legacy is perhaps the most revealing detail about the new project's intentions. The goal isn't necessarily to replicate the school-of-magic gameplay, but rather to emulate its success in translating a cherished fantasy world into a blockbuster, open-world-style video game.

Hogwarts Legacy succeeded by allowing players to live out a personal fantasy within a meticulously recreated and explorable version of a world they already loved. It combined deep lore with engaging action-RPG mechanics, resulting in a title that appealed to both hardcore fans and a broad mainstream audience.

For a new Lord of the Rings game, this benchmark suggests a few key objectives:

• Immersive World-Building: Creating a detailed and interactive slice of Middle-earth that feels authentic and is rewarding to explore.
• Player Fantasy: Allowing players to forge their own path and story within the established lore of Tolkien's universe.
• High Production Value: Utilizing modern technology to deliver stunning visuals, a powerful score, and polished gameplay worthy of a major AAA release.
• Broad Appeal: Crafting an experience that is accessible to newcomers while containing the depth and detail that dedicated fans of The Lord of the Rings expect.

By aiming for this standard, the developers are signaling their intent to create not just another licensed game, but a landmark title for the entire fantasy genre.

A New Era for Middle-earth Gaming?

The timing of this news is significant for the state of Lord of the Rings video games. In recent years, the landscape has been diverse, with several different types of experiences available to fans. The survival-crafting game The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria was released and explores the depths of Khazad-dûm, while Amazon Games continues development on its own large-scale MMO set in Middle-earth.

Recent job postings at Amazon Games suggest the LOTR MMO is still actively being developed, with roles related to world design and gameplay mechanics being advertised. This indicates that the project is moving forward, although a release date remains unconfirmed.

However, the space for a massive, single-player, narrative-driven action game—a successor in spirit to the acclaimed Middle-earth: Shadow of War—has been noticeably vacant. This new, unannounced project appears poised to fill that void. If the reports prove accurate, it could become the flagship single-player experience for the IP for years to come, offering a modern, next-generation journey through Tolkien's legendary world.

For now, fans must wait for an official announcement to learn more about which corner of Middle-earth this adventure will explore, which studio is at the helm, and when we might finally be able to step into its world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the new Lord of the Rings game?

According to initial reports, it is a new, unannounced AAA third-person action game set in Middle-earth. It is reportedly being developed on a large scale with the ambition to rival the success of games like Hogwarts Legacy.

When will the new Lord of the Rings game be released?

There is currently no release date or announcement window. The game has not been officially revealed, and all information is based on early reports from industry sources.

Who is developing the new Lord of the Rings game?

The developer behind the project has not yet been identified. An official announcement from a publisher or studio will be required to confirm who is leading the game's creation.

Is this game connected to Amazon's LOTR MMO?

No, all information suggests this is a completely separate and distinct project from the massively multiplayer online game being developed by Amazon Games. This title is described as a single-player-focused, third-person action experience.