The Green Book of the White Downs: Gaming in Middle-earth

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)

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

News here and here.

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