Summary
Just days after teasing a major sneak peek coming later this month, Weta Workshop and Private Division have announced thatTales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Gamehas been delayed to 2025.Tales of the Shirewas previously promoted as having an undecided 2024 launch, but the team has unexpectedly made the decision to push back the next journey into Middle-earth.
First announced in 2023,Tales of the Shiretakes players to the rolling green hills of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Shire fromThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings. Taking a much more quaint and relaxing approach compared to other action-packedvideo games based onLord of the Rings,Tales of the Shirequickly caught the eye of life-sim gaming fans. However, players will have to wait longer than expected to try their hands at the life of a Hobbit.
Fans ofThe Lord of the Ringswere excited by the recent announcement of thespecialA Hobbit Day Showcaselivestreamset for September 22, but it would seem that enthusiasm has been mildly squashed by the sudden revelation ofTales of the Shiregetting delayed to early 2025. According to a statement issued via the game’s officialTwitteraccount, the release of the peaceful Hobbit game has been pushed back to ensure the team can deliver the desired vision of fans. Specifics on which improvements and final touches need to be made were not shared, though the team did thank players for their patience and continued dedication.
Tales of the Shire Delayed to Early 2025
A number of fans have responded to the delay announcement with words of encouragement, voicing support for the development team and requesting that they take their time to make the game the best that it can be. It was also noted in the official statement that the A Hobbit Day Showcase will still be moving forward and will include information on the new release date. The special showcase is said to include details on gameplay mechanics andcharacters inTales of the Shire, so players may want to tune in to the live stream on September 22.
Game delays are by no means uncommon, with various factors impacting launch dates. Audiences were happy to hear that the postponement ofTales of the Shirewas a creative decision and not a consequence of the recent string ofvideo game studio woes. Interested fans can stay tuned for any future updates onTales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game.
