Gaming
in Middle-earth - State of play report February 2023
🎲 The dice are still rolling favourably for Middle-earth though it has gone a little quiet on the release front with some delays to games. Nevertheless, for gamers and those who love J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, there is a lot of choice open to you. From board games, card games, roleplaying games, mobile games and PC/console games.
Embracer now own Middle-earth Enterprises, with an announcement made on 18 August 2022. They also own matching rights “in other Middle-earth-related literary works authorized by the Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins, which have yet to be explored.”
Lars Wingefors, Embracer CEO and co-founder, discussed the Tolkien acquisition during the Q2 earnings report on 17 November 2022. He stated that: “Embracer now has four licensed “Lord of the Rings” games in production with external developers.”
These
are most likely:
- Daedalic Entertainment/Nacon – “The Lord of The Rings: Gollum”
- Electronic Arts – “The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth”
- Free Range Games/North Beach Games – “The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria”
- WĒTĀ Workshop/Private Division - Unnamed LOTR game
*NEW* In the Embracer Group Interim Report Q3 October-December 2022 (PDF link) released on 16 February 2023, it states:
"In the quarter, Freemode closed the previously announced acquisition Middle-Earth Enterprises. For Freemode, this acquisition has generated a lot of interest among both internal and external partners for the Lord of the Rings IP, across different media formats. There are currently five games in production by external partners, to be released in financial year 2023/24. There is also one film in production by an external partner. Freemode continues to make selective key recruitments in various parts of its business to strengthen the organization." (my bold)
So there are five expected games, the fifth so far has been unannounced (as of 16/02/23). The Embracer Group Interim Report Q3 presentation can be found here (PDF link).
The upcoming Nacon Connect on 9 March 2023 will show more about the delayed Daedalic Entertainment/Nacon’s “The
Lord of The Rings: Gollum”
Both Electronic Arts’ “The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth” and Free Range Games/North Beach Games’ “The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria” have also been delayed with expected releases in 2023.
📜 Previous Gaming in Middle-earth: State of play – 12 June 2022
🎮🎲 Below are the current games, based on the book license, which are out or due to be released.
Please note I don’t cover Games Workshop (mostly due to their license being focused on the films) but you can find their Middle-earth merchandise here.
Note: Images from the various license holders' websites. Used here to illustrate their games.
ARES
GAMES
War of the Ring and Hunt
for the Ring
http://www.aresgames.eu/games/war-of-the-ring-line
Type
Board game and card games
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/AresGames
https://twitter.com/AresGamesSrl
Current
products
The
War of the Ring Second Edition
Lords
of Middle-earth
Warriors
of Middle-earth
The
Battle of Five Armies
Hunt
for the Ring
The
Fate of Erebor
War
of the Ring: The Card Game
Expected
releases
Hunt
for the Ring: Light and Shadow (2023)
War
of the Ring: Kings of Middle-earth (2023)
The Lord of the Rings
Virtual Challenges
https://www.theconqueror.events/lotr/ (The Lord of the Rings Bundle)
https://www.theconqueror.events/shire/
https://www.theconqueror.events/fellowship/
https://www.theconqueror.events/moria/
https://www.theconqueror.events/sauron/
https://www.theconqueror.events/mordor/
https://www.theconqueror.events/rotk/
(Return of the King Bundle)
https://www.theconqueror.events/rohan/
https://www.theconqueror.events/helmsdeep/
https://www.theconqueror.events/gondor/
Type
App (Virtual experience
through fitness/exercise)
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/MyVirtualMission/
https://twitter.com/myvmission
Current
products
The Lord of the Rings: The
Shire (145 miles)
The Lord of the Rings: The
Fellowship (98/680 miles)
The Lord of the Rings: Mines of
Moria (40 miles)
The Lord of the Rings: The Eye
of Sauron (95/668 miles)
The Lord of the Rings: Mordor
(282 miles)
Return of the King: Rohan (80/450
miles)
Return of the King: Helm’s Deep
(100/370 miles)
Return of the King: Gondor (70/662
miles)
Expected
releases
Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Boromir,
Merry, Pippin
DAEDALIC ENTERTAINMENT/NACON
The Lord of The
Rings: Gollum
https://www.daedalic.com/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1265780/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_Gollum/?curator_clanid=1738300
Type
PC and Platform game
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Social
media
https://twitter.com/GollumGame
https://www.facebook.com/GollumGame
https://www.facebook.com/daedalic
https://twitter.com/daedalic
Expected release
2023
News articles:
https://corporate.nacongaming.com/en/press/lotr-gollum-announcement/
https://www.gamespress.com/NACON-and-Daedalic-Entertainment-are-forming-a-fellowship-to-publish-a
ELECTRONIC ARTS
The Lord of the
Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth
Type
Mobile game
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/ea.uk/
https://twitter.com/ea
Expected
release
2023
Official announcement
https://news.ea.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2022/Electronic-Arts-Partners-with-Middle-earth-Enterprises-on-the-Development-of-Upcoming-Mobile-Game-The-Lord-of-the-Rings-Heroes-of-Middle-earth/default.aspx
https://www.ea.com/games/lord-of-the-rings/the-lord-of-the-rings-heroes-of-middle-earth/news/developer-update
FANTASY
FLIGHT GAMES
The Lord of The
Rings Living Card Game
and Journeys in Middle-Earth
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/index/
Type
Board and card games
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/FantasyFlightGames
https://twitter.com/FFGames
The Lord of The
Rings Living Card Game
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-card-game/
Current
products (Lord of the Rings Living Card Game)
Lord
of the Rings: The Card Game Revised Edition
Dwarves
of Durin (starter deck)
Elves
of Lórien (starter deck)
Defenders
of Gondor (starter deck)
Riders
of Rohan (starter deck)
The
Dark of Mirkwood
Angmar Awakened Hero Expansion
(MEC107)
Angmar Awakened Campaign
Expansion (MEC108)
The Fellowship of the Ring Saga
Expansion (MEC109)
Expected
releases (Lord of the Rings Living Card Game)
None announced
Lord of the Rings
Living Card Game (Digital version)
https://www.asmodee-digital.com/en/lord-rings-adventure-card-game/
Journeys in
Middle-Earth
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-journeys-in-middle-earth/
Current
products (Journeys in Middle-earth)
The
Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Gamemat
Villains
of Eriador Figure Pack
Shadowed
Paths
Dwellers
in Darkness Figure Pack
Hunt
for the Ember Crown (DLC)
The
Haunting of Dale (DLC)
Spreading War
Scourges of the Wastes Figure
Pack
Expected
releases (Journeys in Middle-earth)
None
FREE RANGE GAMES / NORTH BEACH GAMES
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
https://www.returntomoria.com/
https://www.freerangegames.com/return-to-moria
http://northbeachgames.com/
Type
PC game (Survival/crafting)
Social
media
https://twitter.com/ReturnToMoria
https://discord.gg/6TNP7as9md
Expected
release
Spring 2023
FRI
LIGAN (FREE LEAGUE)
The One Ring
Roleplaying Game / Adventures in Middle-Earth RPG (D&D 5e)
https://freeleaguepublishing.com/en/games/the-one-ring/
Type
Tabletop RPGs
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/FreeLeaguePublishing
https://twitter.com/FreeLeaguePub
Current
products
The
One Ring Core Rules
The
One Ring Starter Set
The
One Ring Loremaster's Screen & Rivendell Compendium
The
One Ring Dice Set (Black or White)
The One Ring: Ruins of the Lost
Realm
The One Ring: Strider Mode (PDF)
The One Ring: Peoples of
Wilderland (PDF)
The One Ring: Character
Lifepaths
Expected
releases
The Lord of the Rings
Roleplaying 5E (Kickstarter fulfilment)
Shire adventures 5E (Kickstarter
fulfilment)
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying
5E Loremaster’s Screen and Rivendell Compendium (Kickstarter fulfilment)
The One Ring – untitled Adventure
book (similar size to the Ruins of the Lost Realm – traditional
adventures/scenario – landmarks – set in Eriador)
Moria
GAME SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL (MIDDLE-EARTH GAMES)
Champions of Middle-earth and more.
https://gamesystems.com/
https://www.middleearthgames.com/
Type
Turn-based strategy game
Social
media
None
Current
products
Kin-strife,
circa 1450
Third
Age, circa 1650
Third
Age, circa 2950
Fourth
Age, circa 1000
Champions
of Middle-earth (just released)
Expected releases
Unknown
KINGS WILD PROJECT
The Lord of the Rings
Playing Cards
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kingswildproject/the-lord-of-the-rings-playing-cards-vol-1/
https://kingswildproject.com/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-playing-cards
https://kingswildproject.com/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers-luxury-playing-cards
Type
Card games
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/kingswildproject
https://twitter.com/kingswildproj
Current
products
The Lord of the Rings Playing
Cards Vol. 1: The Fellowship of the Ring
Expected
releases
The Lord of the Rings Playing
Cards Vol. 2: The Two Towers (Pre-order in 2023)
MAGIC: THE GATHERING (WIZARDS
OF THE COAST)
Universes Beyond:
The Lord of the Rings
https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-tales-of-middle-earth
Type
Collectible card game
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/MagicTheGathering
https://twitter.com/wizards_magic
Expected
release
2023
Press releases
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/magics-voyages-universes-beyond-2021-02-25
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/secret-lair-universes-beyond-update-2021-06-07
Exclusives through the Secret
Lair with “curated card drops”?
https://secretlair.wizards.com/uk
https://magic.wizards.com/en/secretlair
Update: 25 Aug 2021
Wizards of the Coast did an
upcoming set reveal at their Magic Showcase 2021 (39 mins in for the relevant piece) on Tuesday 24th August 2021 including the “Lord of the
Rings: Tales of Middle-earth” set.
Some details:
- Full booster set
- Tabletop, Magic Online and MTG Arena
- Four Commander decks
- Secret Lair drops
- Modern legal
- Release 2023
MITHRIL MINIATURES
Lord of the Rings
miniatures and accessories
https://mithril.ie/
Type
Gaming figures and accessories
Social
media
https://mithril.ie/facebook/
https://twitter.com/princeaugust
Current
products
Extensive
product list on website
Notes
Though not a producer of actual
games, Mithril Miniatures has been producing gaming accessories for over 30
years.
Mithril Miniatures does boxed
sets and also has a special “Fellowship Club” where you can suggest and vote on
new miniatures.
NETEASE AND WARNER BROS
The Lord of the Rings:
Rise to War
https://www.lotr-risetowar.com/index.html
Type
Mobile strategy game
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/lotrrisetowar/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lotrrisetowar/
https://twitter.com/lotrrisetowar
Platform: Apple App Store, Google Play, Samsung Galaxy Store
Current
Release
Season
Three: Rebuilding Glory campaign
Season
Four: The War of the Ring campaign
Season
Five: Tactics Evolved campaign
Season
Six: Rings of Power - Kings of Men
Season
Seven: Ranger's Rise
Expected
release
Season
Eight: ?
Press release
https://www.neteasegames.com/news/game/20200616/30576_886887.html
RAVENSBURGER
The Lord of the Rings
Adventure Book Game
https://www.target.com/p/-/A-87445420
(Pre-order at Target USA)
Type
Board game
Social
media
https://twitter.com/RavensburgerNA/status/1617522667464130561
Current
products
None
Expected
releases
The Lord of the Rings Adventure
Book Game (26 Feb 2023 ?)
STANDING STONES GAMES
The Lord of the Rings Online
https://www.lotro.com/en
Type
Massively Multiplayer Online
Roleplaying Game (MMORPG)
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/LOTRO
https://twitter.com/lotro
Current
updates
Update
32: Rangers and Ruins
Update
33: The Yondershire
Update 34: Before the Shadow
Expected
updates
Update 35: The Return to Carn
Dûm
Expected 2023 update schedule
https://www.lotro.com/news/lotro-letter-2023-en
Upcoming events and festivals
https://www.lotro.com/news/lotro-public-event-schedule-en
THAMES & KOSMOS
EXIT: The Lord of the Rings - Shadows Over Middle-Earth
https://www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk/product/exit-lord-of-the-rings-shadows-over-middle-earth-due-june/
https://store.thamesandkosmos.com/collections/exit-the-game
Type
Board game
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/thamesandkosmos
https://twitter.com/ThamesAndKosmos
Current
products
EXIT: The Lord of the Rings -
Shadows Over Middle-Earth
Expected
releases
The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom
ULTRA PRO/SOPHISTICATED GAMES
Battle for
Middle-earth and
Journey to Mordor
https://www.ultrapro.com/division.php?d=g
https://ultraprogames.com/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-battle-for-middle-earth
https://ultraprogames.com/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-journey-to-mordor
Type
Board game and card games
Social
media
https://www.facebook.com/UltraProInternational
https://twitter.com/UltraProIntl
Current
Products
The Lord of The Rings: Battle
for Middle Earth (SKU: 10892)
The Lord of The Rings: Journey
to Mordor (SKU: 10893)
Expected
releases
Unknown
WĒTĀ WORKSHOP / PRIVATE
DIVISION
Unnamed LOTR game
Wētā Workshop
https://www.wetaworkshop.com/news/private-division-announces-publishing-partnership-with-weta-workshop/
Private Division
https://www.privatedivision.com/2022/08/15/private-division-announces-publishing-partnership-with-weta-workshop/
Type
Unknown
Social media
https://twitter.com/wetaworkshop
https://twitter.com/PrivateDivision
Unknown
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