Amazon Still Figuring Out “a Fresh Twist” for Its Lord of the Rings MMO
Christoph Hartmann's update on the Lord of the Rings MMO may disappoint fans but is a welcome approach to a game based on the franchise.
- Amazon Games' Christoph Hartmann provided an update on the Lord of the Rings MMO in a recent interview.
- Hartmann emphasizes on the need to find a perfect way to bring the ambitious title to life in a way that stands out from its competition.
- His caution is most welcome considering other titles based on the beloved franchise that failed miserably when they released.
Amazon Games has had a quiet 2024 despite the studio looking to break out of its comfort zone and produce titles outside of the MMO genre. However, that does not mean that it is leaving MMOs behind altogether considering a recent interview with its head in which he gives Lord of the Rings fans some good news.
Hartmann’s assertion that the game is in its early stages of development could point to the studio making an attempt to create an MMO based on Tolkien’s ever-green franchise that stays true to its roots while adding its own unique spin on Middle Earth in order to differentiate itself from similar projects.
Amazon Plans to Create One MMO to Rule Them All
While there have been many games based on Lord of the Rings that have utilized its premise to create titles that recaptured its magic with varying degrees of success, Amazon may be looking to create a version of Middle Earth that could allow players to truly feel like they are a part of it from the moment they pick up their controller of choice.
While games like Middle-earth: Shadow of War allowed players to explore open worlds while presenting players with a unique spin on the conflict against Sauron’s dark forces, Hartmann’s statement to IGN points to Amazon looking to go above and beyond other titles – a sentiment that fans of the franchise will certainly appreciate in the aftermath of Daedalic Entertainment’s disastrous outing with Lord of the Rings: Gollum.
Could Amazon Craft a Successful Return to Middle Earth?
Amazon’s foray into the world of gaming has seen its ups and downs, with its excellent live-action adaptation of the Fallout franchise receiving a lot of praise. While its debut of Xbox Game Pass may not have achieved a similar reception, it is clear that gaming is now an area of focus for the company with Amazon Games leading the charge.
Hartmann’s cautious approach to the Lord of the Rings MMO may just be an indication of a similar approach to the Fallout adaptation, with the studio looking to craft an experience that captures the essence of its extensive source material with its own unique spin on it that can keep its players coming back for more.
His assertion that the studio is “still trying to find the hook” points to a quality-over-quantity approach as an MMO based on such a beloved IP is sure to draw a lot of attention irrespective of its success or failure. The studio would certainly hope for a successful title considering its plans to branch out into other genres – a possibility that would hinge on the reputation its titles can earn on critical and commercial fronts.
While Amazon Games’ version of Middle Earth is far away at the moment, fans can take heart knowing that the new title is in good hands.
