Massive New Lord of the Rings Game Reportedly Aims to Rival Hogwarts Legacy

Middle-earth might be about to make a major comeback. According to a new report, a third-person action game set in The Lord of the Rings universe is currently in development, and it’s being positioned to compete directly with 2023’s blockbuster hit, Hogwarts Legacy.

Backed by Big Investors

Sources close to the project told Insider Gaming that the yet-untitled game has secured roughly $100 million in funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The deal is reportedly close to being made public, possibly as soon as next week.

Alongside ADIO’s investment, the project is said to involve Embracer Group, the company that holds the rights to Lord of the Rings video games, and Revenge, the studio rumored to be leading development.

When asked for comment, an Embracer spokesperson stated:

“We do not comment on rumors or speculation.”
Revenge similarly declined to comment when approached by Insider Gaming.

Designed to Compete with a Giant

While concrete gameplay details remain under wraps, the report suggests this new title is being designed to stand toe-to-toe with Hogwarts Legacy, the open-world wizarding adventure that dominated 2023 sales charts and became the No. 1 best-selling game of the year in the U.S. Warner Bros. has since made a sequel one of its top development priorities.

If the comparison holds true, fans might expect a rich, story-driven experience set in Middle-earth, possibly with open-world elements and RPG mechanics.

The State of Lord of the Rings Games

Recent Lord of the Rings releases have struggled to find their footing. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum suffered a rocky launch in 2023, prompting its developer to cancel future projects and step away from game development entirely. Meanwhile, Tales of the Shire, released earlier this year, earned mixed reviews from critics and players.

Still, Embracer Group has made it clear that Middle-earth remains a key focus. Over a year ago, Lee Guinchard, head of Embracer’s Lord of the Rings division, spoke about a vision for a “renaissance” of Lord of the Rings games, hinting at multiple projects in the pipeline.

This mysterious new action game seems to be part of that plan. In addition, Embracer is already collaborating with Amazon Games on a brand-new MMO set in Middle-earth, further expanding the franchise’s gaming footprint.

A Legacy of Epic Adventures

The Lord of the Rings franchise has a storied history in gaming. Early movie tie-ins were fan favorites, while Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War stood out for their innovative Nemesis System and deep lore though their developer, Monolith, has since shut down.

On the lighter side, Lego Lord of the Rings and Lego The Hobbit continue to hold nostalgic value for many fans.

With a new high-budget project now rumored, players could soon see Middle-earth return to the spotlight with a title worthy of Tolkien’s epic world.

Beyond Games: Middle-earth Expands

The revival doesn’t stop at games. Embracer is teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema on multiple upcoming films, including The Hunt for Gollum, directed by none other than Andy Serkis, the actor behind Gollum in Peter Jackson’s legendary trilogy.

It seems Middle-earth is preparing for a multi-platform renaissance, from cinema to console.

Stay tuned as more details emerge about this ambitious new Lord of the Rings game, one that might just redefine what’s possible in fantasy gaming.