Welcome to your new life in Bywater, little Hobbit!
After 7 months since its official reveal, we finally have the first trailer for Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game, the upcoming relaxing single-player Hobbit life simulation video game set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved Middle-earth universe.
Developed by Wētā Workshop’s newly established in-house video games division, Wētā Workshop Game Studio, and published by Private Division, Tales of the Shire will immerse players in the peaceful life of an ordinary Hobbit in the idyllic and relaxing town of Bywater, our new cozy home nestled in the greenery.
The trailer briefly showcases what our life as a Hobbit will entail – hinting at many more experiences to come – with a particular focus on the game’s mechanics. Among these, the decoration and customization of our Hobbit home stand out, with a vast array of options available to players. Players can forge new friendships with other Hobbits, cook delicious dishes, and engage in charmingly relaxing crafting mechanics such as fishing, foraging, and gardening – the favorite activities of every Hobbit. Lastly, the game offers an exploratory component, allowing players to venture beyond the confines of our warm abode and immerse themselves in the beauty of Bywater.
Our duty as Hobbits – and the core concept behind the game – is to help bring the community together and achieve official village status by organizing the greatest Bywater Festival the Shire has ever seen!
Set to release in 2024 – with the official release date yet to be announced – Tales of the Shire will be available for Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The game appears highly promising, both in terms of its aesthetics and artistic direction, showcasing an art design that effectively captures the innocence, carefree spirit, and serenity that the game aims to convey, as well as in its gameplay features and setting, with elements that appear to remain faithful and consistent with Tolkien’s imagery. However, we are waiting to get our hands on it before passing any judgment!
Following the disastrous release of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and the mixed reception of The Lord of the Rings Return to Moria, another significant opportunity arises. A critical chance to dispel the ghosts haunting recent LOTR-themed productions and restore the brilliance of such an iconic franchise, especially in a gaming world that has lacked an excellent video game based on “The Lord of the Rings” saga for too many years.
For further information and updates on Tales of the Shire, keep following us, and don’t forget to visit Private Division’s website to stay updated on the latest developments regarding the game.
That’s all for today. See you in the Shire, curious little Hobbits!
