Home News Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings MMO Reportedly Dead Amid Major Exec Layoffs

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings MMO Reportedly Dead Amid Major Exec Layoffs

It looks like Amazon Games’ highly anticipated massively multiplayer online game, which is set in the Lord of the Rings universe, has been canceled or at least put on indefinite hold. According to internal sources, the project, which was announced in 2023 and was created in collaboration with Embracer Group, has been shelved as a result of significant layoffs and a strategic shift at Amazon’s gaming division.

The Lord of The Rings PlayStation 2

A Massive Industry Shift

The project has reportedly been shelved as part of Amazon’s reorganization efforts. The LOTR game appears to have been among the first casualties of the studio’s reduction in large-scale MMO development. Even prior to the layoffs, the game’s development had slowed to a crawl, according to insiders, and it has now completely stopped.

When the MMO was first revealed in 2023, it was intended to be a massive open-world game developed in collaboration with Embracer Group for both PC and consoles. However, it never quite settled in due to a combination of management changes, logistical problems, and some challenging licensing requirements.

The Lord of The Rings PlayStation 2

What Could Have Been

Fans are disappointed by the conclusion of what could have been one of the most anticipated Lord of the Rings games in a long time. Additionally, it is another indication that Amazon is pulling back from big, risky projects in order to concentrate more on smaller, AI-powered, casual gaming experiences.

Fans question whether Middle-earth will ever be brought to life on this kind of enormous online scale again after the Lord of the Rings MMO’s demise, which represents yet another blow to Amazon’s gaming goals.

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Sai T.

Sai is a social media manager and senior web content creator who spends his days juggling game research, deadlines, and the usual existential crisis. When he isn’t crafting content that hopefully goes viral, he’s a dedicated single parent doing his best to navigate work life balance. And in the rare moments when free time actually appears, he’s usually found with his two dogs, who are fully convinced they’re the ones in charge.