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

Gaming in Middle-earth - State of play report February 2025

🎲 Welcome to our first 2025 look at the State of Play for gaming set within Middle-earth: from board games, card games, tabletop roleplaying games, console & PC games, and more.

Middle-earth has always held great potential for gaming though the history of game releases is sometimes fraught. Daedalic’s Gollum failed to live up to expectations and that failure did lead Embracer to rethink its strategy for Middle-earth focused games. Electronic Arts’ “The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth” has closed down too.

On 22 April 2024, Embracer (who own Middle-earth Enterprises) announced a restructure dividing the company into three separate entities:

🎲 Asmodee Group
🎲 “Coffee Stain & Friends”
🎲 “Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends”

In that announcement Embracer described “Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends” as follows;

“Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends” is intended to remain a creative powerhouse in AAA game development and publishing for PC/console, and the stewards of The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider intellectual properties.
As a standalone company, “Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends” will operate as a more transparent entity, offering a better structure to maximize the potential of its highly strategic franchises, with focus on the Lord of the Rings and a number of other key IPs. Decision-makers will be closer to the organization, leading to enhanced capital expenditure management, accountability, and well-balanced investments to optimize financial performance and profitable growth over the long term.
“Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends” will be the home of critically acclaimed studios, including Crystal Dynamics, Dambuster Studios, Eidos-Montréal, Flying Wild Hog Studios, Tripwire, Vertigo Games, Warhorse Studios and 4A Games among many others. IPs includes Dead Island, Killing Floor, Kingdom Come Deliverance, The Lord of the Rings, Metro and Tomb Raider, among many others. The group will include PLAION, Freemode, Dark Horse and other businesses.

Embracer’s Q3 Interim Report (October-December 2024) published on 14 February 2025 hasn’t revealed any new content for 2025 and beyond, though they did acknowledge that the War of the Rohirrim anime didn’t do as well as expected.

So what do we know about upcoming games? For a quick visual glance at where we stand from the previous year, I’ll do a quick list with the following categories:

🎲 Recent/new material expected
🎲 No new material announced (as yet)
🎲 No expected new material
🎲 Material expected from new companies in 2025 and beyond

🎲 Recent/new material expected

Fantasy Flight Games (The Lord of The Rings Living Card Game – repackaged reprints only)
Free League (The One Ring RPG and The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E)
Free Range Games/North Beach Games (The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria)
Office Dog Games (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game)
Repos Production (The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth)
Standing Stone Games (LOTRO)
Conqueror Virtual Challenges (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Virtual Challenges)

🎲 No new material announced (as yet)

Ares Games (War of the Ring and Hunt for the Ring)
Magic: The Gathering/Wizards of the Coast (The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth)
Ravensburger (The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game)
Thames & Kosmos (The Lord of the Rings: Shadows Over Middle-Earth and Adventure to Mount Doom)

🎲 No expected new material

Daedalic Entertainment/Nacon (The Lord of The Rings: Gollum)
Electronic Arts (The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth)*

🎲 Material expected from new companies in 2025 and beyond

Amazon Games (The Lord of the Rings MMO)
Burgschneider (Middle-earth Adventures)
Ghost Galaxy (The Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Ultimate Edition)
Wētā Workshop/Private Division (Tales of the Shire)
Z-Man Games (The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship)

* Removed Electronic Arts from the A to Z below because the game does not exist anymore

📜 Previous Gaming in Middle-earth: State of play updates – 12 June 2022 | 16 February 2023 | 27 May 2023 | 20 January 2024

🎲 Crib sheets & Tolkien Trewsday

A weekly event I run on Twitter every Tuesday called #TolkienTrewsday had the theme of “Gaming” during week 14 (30 May 2023). I also create crib sheets to assist fans with easy-to-read infographics on upcoming products including Tolkien-related gaming, books, events and more.

“Caraes in three moves”: A quick look at dice and tabletop games in Tolkien adaptions
for #TolkienTrewsday (Theme: "Gaming", 30 May 2023)
New crib sheets coming soon.

📌 A to Z of game companies and their recent/upcoming products

🎮🎲 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.

AMAZON GAMES
The Lord of the Rings MMO (currently unnamed)

Type
MMO

Social media

https://twitter.com/amazongames

Press releases
Press release: Amazon Games (15 May 2023)

Press release: Embracer (15 May 2023)

Press release: About Amazon (15 May 2023)

Press release: Amazon Games Orange County Studio (15 May 2023)

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
War of the Ring - The Card Game: Against the Shadow
Hunt for the Ring: Light and Shadow
War of the Ring: Kings of Middle-earth

Expected releases
TBA

BURGSCHNEIDER

Middle-earth Adventures

https://burgschneider.com/en-uk/pages/middle-earth-adventures

Type

Live-Action Roleplaying (LARP) – immersive events, costumes, etc

Social media

https://www.facebook.com/Burgschneider/

https://x.com/Burgschneider

Current products

None

Expected releases

Middle-earth Adventures (Fall 2025)

Type
App (Virtual experience through fitness/exercise)

Social media
https://www.facebook.com/MyVirtualMission/
https://twitter.com/myvmission
https://twitter.com/getTheConqueror

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
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Available 20 February 2025)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Available 20 February 2025)
The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (Available 20 February 2025)

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
Released

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)
Dream-chaser Hero Expansion
Dream-chaser Campaign Expansion

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
Released

Upcoming releases
TBA

FRI LIGAN (FREE LEAGUE)
The One Ring Roleplaying Game 2E / The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E
https://freeleaguepublishing.com/en/games/the-one-ring/
https://www.thelordoftheringsroleplaying.com/

Type
Tabletop RPG

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
The One Ring: Tales from the Lone-Lands
The One Ring: Moria - Through the Doors of Durin
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E: Core rulebook
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E: Shire adventures
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E: Loremaster’s Screen and Rivendell Compendium
The One Ring: Tales from the Lone-lands
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E: Ruins of Eriador
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E: Tales from Eriador
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E: Moria - Shadow of Khazad-dûm

Expected releases
The One Ring: Realms of the Three Rings (Pre-order, PDF available)
The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E: Keepers of the Elven-rings (Pre-order, PDF available)

Lost Odyssey: "The Red Scribe"
Live play adventure for Extra Life using The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E.
Website | YouTube

GHOST GALAXY
The Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Ultimate Edition
https://www.ghostgalaxy.com/pages/lotr-confrontation-ue-landing-page
https://gamefound.com/en/projects/ghost-galaxy-games/lord-of-the-rings-the-confrontation-ultimate-edition

Type
Tabletop boardgame

Social media
https://www.facebook.com/GhostGalaxyGames/
https://x.com/GhostGalaxyGam1

Current products
None

Expected releases
The Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Ultimate Edition

GAME SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL (MIDDLE-EARTH GAMES)
Champions of Middle-earth and more.
https://gamesystems.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
The Lord of the Rings Playing Cards Vol. 2: The Two Towers

Expected releases
The Lord of the Rings Playing Cards Vol. 3: The Return of the King

MAGIC: THE GATHERING (WIZARDS OF THE COAST)
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (Universes Beyond)
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
Released

Upcoming releases
Unknown

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 - Kingdoms of Men
Season Seven: Ranger's Rise

Expected release
Unknown

OFFICE DOG GAMES

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game

https://www.officedoggames.com/game/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-trick-taking-game/

Type

Card Game

Social media

https://www.facebook.com/OfficeDogGames/

https://x.com/OfficeDogGames

Current products

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game

Expected releases (potential)

The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game (not confirmed)

The Return of the King Trick-Taking Game (not confirmed)

RAVENSBURGER
The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game
https://www.ravensburger.co.uk/en-GB/products/games/strategy-games/lord-of-the-rings-adventure-book-game-27542

Type
Board game

Social media
https://twitter.com/RavensburgerNA/status/1617522667464130561

Current products
The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game

Expected releases
None

REPOS PRODUCTION

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

https://www.rprod.com/en/games/duel-for-middle-earth

Type

Tabletop Boardgame

Social media

https://www.facebook.com/ReposProduction/

https://x.com/ReposProduction

Current products

The Lord of the Rings: The Dual for Middle-earth

Expected releases

None

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 and Events
Update 38: Corsairs of Umbar
Update 39: Arenas of Conflict
Update 40: Beneath the Surface
Update 41: On the Wing
Update 42: Legacy of Morgoth

Expected updates
Update 43: Secrets of Utug-bûr

Expected 2023 update schedule
https://www.lotro.com/news/lotro-letter-to-players-december-2024-en

Upcoming events and festivals
https://www.lotro.com/news/lotro-public-event-schedule-en