Publisher Private Division and developer Weta Workshop have announced a delay for Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game, their new farming life game set in Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game will forgo its previously planned 2024 release for one sometime in early 2025.
“All of us here at Weta Workshop are excited to have you join us in the Shire, a peaceful corner of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world,” the companies said in a statement. “When a new Hobbit steps into Bywater for the very first time, we want that moment to be everything you’re hoping for. To ensure we deliver that vision, Tales of the Shire will now be launching early 2025.”
To make up for the delay, a Hobbit Day showcase for the game is planned for September 22nd.
When Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game does launch, it’ll be available for Windows PC (via Steam), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
Here’s a rundown on the game, plus the full reveal trailer:
From the creative studio, Wētā Workshop, live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this idyllic corner of Middle-earth. Join friendly Hobbits and familiar faces awaiting your arrival in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game.
Create your own Hobbit as you set forth in Bywater. Though not yet established as an official village in Hobbiton, play a part in helping the quaint town flourish. Greet comfort at the door as you decorate your own Hobbit hole, tend to your garden, fish at the clear ponds, forage wild fruits and herbs, or trade with townsfolks. Prepare homemade meals to share with fellow Hobbits and foster relationships.
With much to see and lots more to eat, enjoy days of splendor in the picturesque forests, lakes, and pastures.
Unwind in the place where what matters most are all the little things. Help bring the community together to achieve village status in Bywater. Experience delight in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game.
Key Features:
- Welcome Home, Hobbit – Play as a Hobbit, directly out of J.R.R Tolkien’s beloved books! Personalise your appearance and brandish your best Hobbit attire with an array of customisations. Decorate your own Hobbit home and transform the cosy space with grid-free placement to position furniture home décor to your liking. Discover the wonders each new day brings to Bywater as you settle into your serene homestead for much needed rest.
- Food Is Love – No Hobbit’s day is complete without food. Fish, garden, and forage to stock up the pantry with the fruits of your labour. Harvest for seasonal crops and flowers as time passes in your homestead. Enjoy the warmth of the kitchen and show off your culinary chops with recipes for mealtimes. Partake in second breakfast or host a dinner party with fellow Hobbits. Share meals with invited guests to create new relationships.
- Explore Bywater – Explore the outdoors to discover secret glades and lost treasures of the Shire. Experience the ever-changing weather that affect daily routines and seasonal surprises based on time of year. Gain rewards through your story progression. Meet iconic characters and familiar Hobbit families to trade for upgrades to skills, clothes, home, and more. Join club missions to complete daily activities and help gain official village status in Bywater.
