Take-Two reveals new Lord of the Rings game, promising a 'different' time in Middle-earth

Lord of the Rings
(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Lord of the Rings remains a popular target for adaptations and now, we've learned a new Middle-earth game has entered development with Take-Two Interactive.

Developed by Wētā Workshop's interactive game division, this announcement times up well with Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's release next month, which Wētā Workshop is also involved in. That's being published through Take-Two label Private Division, best known for publishing The Outer Worlds, Hades, and OlliOlli World.

Speaking on Private Division's official website, Amie Wolken, head of interactive at Wētā Workshop, teased this game is "one that’s so different from what fans have played previously." However, beyond this and the Middle-earth setting, details on the currently unnamed game are pretty scarce.

Unsurprisingly, being in early development means there's no solid release date attached, just that it's expected to launch "during Take-Two’s Fiscal Year 2024." Historically, Take-Two is a multiplatform publisher so given the timeframe, we'd speculate it'll arrive on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Not our only adventure to Middle-earth

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum key art

(Image credit: Nacon)

Wolken's statement has me curious to what exactly this new Middle-earth game could bring. While previous adaptations like The Lord of the Rings: War in the North and Middle-earth: Shadow of War have been more action-oriented, we've seen a few divergences, too, making it harder to predict just what the team's planning.

From more comical experiences like LEGO: The Hobbit to MMORPG entry Lord of the Rings Online, there's also The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, an upcoming adaptation set during the first few chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring. Brought to us by publishers Nacon and Daedalic Entertainment instead, that also promises something different.

With gameplay split between Gollum and Sméagol, his former self, we'll need to manage these two aspects of his character across a series of stealth and platforming sections. Sadly, Gollum recently got delayed into late 2022, but it shouldn't be too long before we can finally experience it.

TOPICS
Henry Stockdale

Henry is a freelance writer based in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. When he's not wandering in VR or burning through his RPG backlog, he's probably planning his next D&D session.

Read more
Galadriel desperately trying to fight off Sauron in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8
The Rings of Power season 3 is officially in the works for Prime Video – and the hit Amazon show's next entry will feature a big time jump
Wonder Woman game
Wonder Woman game - everything we know so far
Split Fiction
Split Fiction is a new co-op game from the studio behind the award-winning It Takes Two
Talion fighting an orc in Shadow of War
Warner Bros. has closed three studios and canceled its Wonder Woman game
Galadriel and Sauron do battle above Eregion in The Rings of Power season 2, the precursor to The Rings of Power season 3
The Rings of Power season 3: everything we know so far about the hit Prime Video show's next entry
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Shadow of Mordor's Nemesis system will remain Warner Bros' property until 2036
Latest in Gaming
Xbox Copilot in Minecraft
Microsoft confirms Copilot can be tested by Xbox Insiders next month and shares new details about how the AI sidekick will enhance the player experience: 'It has to be about gameplay, it has to be personalized to you'
The Steam Logo on a mobile phone in front of a wall of games.
Today’s Steam Spring Sale features my absolute favorite game of all time - here's when the sale starts and all the key info
Dune Awakening screenshot showing the exploration of The O'odham
Latest Dune Awakening trailer provides a deeper look at open-world exploration on the planet Arrakis
The logo and key art for Inzoi.
The newly revealed Inzoi system requirements are enough to make me go back to The Sims 4
The SAG-AFTRA San-Fransisco-North California Local
SAG-AFTRA union and video game industry bargaining group remain at odds as agreements on AI protections still 'frustratingly far apart'
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic trailer shot showing Naoe in her hood
Actually, yes, Assassin's Creed Shadows will be playable on Steam Deck at launch, Ubisoft confirms
Latest in News
The Russo brothers posing for a photograph and Herman carrying a Volkswagen camper van in The Electric State
'We're optimists': AI enthusiasts Joe and Anthony Russo defend its use in movies and TV shows, but admit there are 'very real dangers' around its application
UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer
UK PM says AI should soon replace civil servants
Xbox Copilot in Minecraft
Microsoft confirms Copilot can be tested by Xbox Insiders next month and shares new details about how the AI sidekick will enhance the player experience: 'It has to be about gameplay, it has to be personalized to you'
Eight Samsung TVs mounted to the wall showing different basketball games
Samsung is offering you 8 new TVs in one bundle for March Madness, in case you want to watch all games at once like a Bond villain’s lair
Image depicting hands typing on a keyboard, with phishing hooks holding files, passwords and credit cards.
Microsoft warns about a new phishing campaign impersonating Booking.com
The Steam Logo on a mobile phone in front of a wall of games.
Today’s Steam Spring Sale features my absolute favorite game of all time - here's when the sale starts and all the key info