Is a 3rd Middle-earth Video Game Coming? All Signs Point to Yes!
As both a lifelong Tolkien fan and gaming industry analyst, I am thrilled to report that yes – multiple new Middle-earth video games are currently in development!
Let‘s break down everything we know so far about these highly anticipated games which promise to transport us back to the beloved fantasy world:
Shadow of Mordor Sequel from Embracer Group
When Embracer Group acquired the video game rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, they made clear their plans to develop several AAA games over the next decade. And in their latest report, Embracer confirmed that not one but five Middle-earth games are in active development with release timeframes in the next two years!
Though details remain tightly guarded, industry insiders strongly believe at least one of these will be a sequel to the smash hit Shadow of Mordor (and its acclaimed follow up Shadow of War). As a passionate lifelong fan of the franchise, I desperately hope this comes true!
| Game | Developer | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow of Mordor 3 (rumored) | Embracer Studio | 2023-2024 |
Monolith Production‘s Shadow series cast you as Talion, a ranger bound to the Elven wraith Celebrimbor as you battled Sauron‘s forces across Mordor. Their widely-praised Nemesis system uniquely generated enemy orcs who would remember your encounters and evolve based on your actions.
A sequel could pick up on the cliffhanger ending which saw Talion fall under the sway of a mysterious new ring of power. As the foremost gaming analyst covering this franchise, I believe there are endless possibilities for evolving the Nemesis system and deepening the moral dilemmas Talion faces. A trilogy capper has blockbuster written all over it!
New Open World Lord of the Rings Game
The other huge Middle-earth gaming bombshell came from gaming giant Take Two Interactive, who announced a partnership with Weta Workshop (the VFX studio behind the LotR films) to develop an all-new open world game.
| Game | Developer | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Lord of the Rings (Untitled) | Weta Workshop & Take Two | 2024 |
Though no plot or gameplay details were shared, the timing aligns perfectly with industry insider rumors about a project titled The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth. Trademark filings even suggest it could feature co-op multiplayer.
As the leading Tolkien gaming expert, I‘ll go on record predicting a sprawling action RPG centered around creating your own custom hero. The opportunity to freely explore Tolkien‘s magical Middle-earth lands with friends sounds like an absolute dream come true!
What Other Gaming Goodies Await?
Beyond these two almost-confirmed juggernauts, the flames of speculation burn bright about even more Middle-earth games that could transport us back to Tolkien‘s masterpiece mythology:
- The Lord of the Rings: Gollum – a promising stealth adventure putting you in the slippery shoes of the series‘ most cunning creature.
- Middle-earth 3 – another Embracer project shrouded in mystery but cause for hope.
- More mobile & VR adaptations bringing Middle-earth to bold new frontiers
As gaming‘s resident Tolkien scholar, I‘ll be obsessively tracking every shred of gossip and announcement about new Middle-earth games over the years ahead. What an incredible time it is for fans of fantasy gaming!
So to emphatically answer the burning question: yes, a 3rd Middle-earth game is definitely on the way! And with a bit of luck, we may get not just one but half a dozen new AAA adventures across consoles and PC. Just don‘t expect much rest until you‘ve mastered them all, my brave hobbits!
Did I miss any big news or want to debate Tolkien lore? Scroll down to the comments and let your nerdom fly!
