Amazon Games has acknowledged that it has not abandoned its ambitions to create a new game based on The Lord of the Rings, despite indications that its most recent endeavor has stalled.
Following significant staff reductions in October 2025, several Amazon projects, including the nascent MMO New World, were significantly impacted. As far back as 2023, prior to New World‘s discontinuation, Amazon had announced plans to develop a new title set in Middle-earth, which would adapt “the beloved stories of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings” from Tolkien’s original books, under license from rights holder Embracer. Today, reports suggest that the announced MMO has been canceled after months of silence, a situation further underscored by a recent statement from Jeff Grattis, Amazon’s head of games.
According to Eurogamer, after seeking comment from Amazon Games regarding the Lord of the Rings intellectual property (IP), a response was received from the head of games. Grattis stated, “Our creative team continues to explore a compelling new game experience that does justice to Tolkien’s world; we are working closely with Middle-earth and remain excited about the IP.” This strongly implies that the project announced in 2023 has been removed from Amazon’s development pipeline. A source also informed Eurogamer that this particular project had only entered pre-production a few months before the layoffs were announced in 2025, two years after its initial reveal.
The Lord of the Rings IP remains highly sought after across various media. The third season of Rings of Power is slated to resume production in November on Prime Video, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is being adapted into a comprehensive Universes Beyond set expansion for Magic: The Gathering. In the absence of any major game announcements or updates on the 2023 project beyond potential setbacks, Amazon appears to be refocusing its efforts on the IP, at least according to Grattis.
It is important to note that while the cancellation of the 2023 announced Lord of the Rings title from Amazon is heavily implied and supported by surrounding reports, it has not been explicitly confirmed as definitively dead. Fans are advised to await an official announcement from Amazon before drawing final conclusions about its fate.
English Translation:
Amazon Games has confirmed that it has not given up on its effort to create a new Lord of the Rings game, despite reports of its latest attempt floundering.
Following a significant round of layoffs in October 2025, many Amazon projects were disrupted, including the fledgling MMO, New World. Back in 2023 (long before New World was terminated), Amazon announced a new venture into Middle-earth; they would be developing a new title that would feature “the beloved stories of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings,” adapted from Tolkien’s original books, as licensed by rights owner Embracer. Today, the MMO that was then announced has reportedly been canceled after months without new information (following the October layoffs), and a statement made today by Amazon’s head of games, Jeff Grattis, drives the point home.
Eurogamer reports that after reaching out to Amazon Games for comment regarding the Lord of the Rings IP, they received a response from the head of games. Grattis stated, “Our creative team continues to explore a compelling new game experience that does justice to Tolkien’s world; we are working closely with Middle-earth and remain excited about the IP.” This all but confirms the 2023 announcement has been cut from Amazon’s release schedule, but a source also told Eurogamer that this project entered pre-production only months before the layoffs were announced in 2025 (two years after it was announced).
The Lord of the Rings IP continues to be a hot commodity on new frontiers. The third season of Rings of Power is scheduled to pick back up in November on Prime Video, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is being converted into a whole Universes Beyond set expansion for Magic: The Gathering. With no major game announcement (and no news about the 2023 announcement aside from potential doom), Amazon appears to be re-focusing on the IP, at least according to Grattis.
It’s important to note that while implied (and with the surrounding reports as strong evidence), the announced Lord of the Rings title from 2023 has been everything but explicitly confirmed as dead at Amazon. But fans should wait until an official announcement is made to conclude its end.