Amazon Games’ ambitious MMO set in The Lord of the Rings universe will not be released. According to a former employee, the company shelved the project following large-scale layoffs that hit the studio last week.
A former developer corroborated the report on LinkedIn:
“This morning I was included in the layoffs at Amazon Games alongside my incredibly talented colleagues who worked on New World and on our fledgling title, The Lord of the Rings (you would have loved it). It’s always painful to watch such a strong team go through something like this. I was fortunate to work with some of the most experienced, creative, and kind developers I’ve met here.”
While Amazon has not formally announced the project’s cancellation, the move fits with the company’s strategic shift. After the reductions, Amazon Games stated it would move away from large-scale MMOs and concentrate on smaller, more varied titles.
The game was being developed in partnership with Embracer Group, with Amazon Games Orange County — the studio behind New World — leading the effort. Announced in 2023, the title was planned to encompass the events of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Source: iXBT.games