Amazon has cancelled its long-anticipated massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMO) based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings universe, according to sources familiar with the project.
The decision was reported by GamesIndustry.biz, which cited unnamed sources close to the development. The cancellation comes after years of internal development at Amazon Game Studios, following a reported contractual dispute with the intellectual property holders.
Background of the Project
Amazon first announced the Lord of the Rings MMO in 2019, describing it as a free to play online adventure set in Middle-earth. The game was expected to compete with established MMO titles and was part of Amazon’s broader push into video game publishing.
The project was developed by Amazon Game Studios in collaboration with Leyou Technologies, a Chinese holding company. In 2020, however, Tencent acquired Leyou, which led to reported difficulties in renegotiating the licensing terms with the Tolkien estate and Middle-earth Enterprises.
Sources indicate that Amazon and the rights holders failed to reach a new agreement after the acquisition, ultimately stalling development. The cancellation reportedly occurred in April 2024, though Amazon has not made a public announcement as of this report.
Implications for Amazon Game Studios
This cancellation marks another significant setback for Amazon’s gaming division, which has struggled to release a major hit since its inception. Previous projects, including a title called Crucible, were also cancelled or failed to gain traction after launch.
Amazon continues to invest in the gaming space through its streaming platform, Amazon Luna, and through publishing deals with other studios. However, the loss of the Lord of the Rings license removes a high profile intellectual property from its internal development pipeline.
The company has not commented on potential layoffs or reassignments for the development team. Industry observers note that Amazon retains other gaming projects, including a new Tomb Raider title being developed by Crystal Dynamics, which Amazon will publish.
Reactions from the Gaming Community
The cancellation has drawn attention from gaming analysts and fans of the Lord of the Rings franchise. Many had hoped for a faithful adaptation of the fictional world, given Amazon’s substantial financial resources and its success with the television series The Rings of Power.
Some developers who worked on the MMO have expressed frustration on professional networking platforms, indicating that the project was far along in development before the licensing dispute emerged. No official statements from staff or the company have been released.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear whether the Lord of the Rings MMO license will be offered to other developers or publishers. Middle-earth Enterprises, which manages the film and game rights for the Tolkien works, has historically licensed the property to multiple parties, including Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, which previously released the successful Shadow of Mordor titles.
Amazon is expected to formally confirm the cancellation in a regulatory filing or a statement to employees in the coming weeks. The company has not indicated any future plans for a similar project within the Tolkien universe.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
