The gaming world is buzzing with the latest developments at Amazon Game Studios, which has seen significant changes amidst a large-scale layoff. The company is reportedly pulling the plug on the ambitious Lord of the Rings MMO project once again, a move that coincides with the cessation of development on New World: Aeternum. This decision has left fans of the franchise and the gaming community at large in a state of uncertainty and anticipation for future updates.
Lord of the Rings MMO Faces Uncertain Future
Reports suggest that the Lord of the Rings MMO, which had previously faced cancellation due to a contractual dispute with Tencent, is once again being shelved by Amazon. Former Amazon Game Studios senior gameplay engineer Ashleigh Amrine has indicated via her LinkedIn post that the project was part of the recent cuts. She expressed her disappointment over the layoffs and praised her talented colleagues who were also affected.
Challenges and Setbacks
Amazon has yet to provide an official confirmation regarding the project’s status, but combined statements from Amrine and Steve Boom, the head of audio, Twitch, and games at Amazon, imply that the MMO’s development is halted indefinitely. Boom’s remarks about significant cuts in first-party MMO development add weight to these claims. The Lord of the Rings MMO was in its early stages after being revived in 2023 and was set to feature advancements like a next-gen engine similar to the one used for New World. However, its early development phase might have contributed to Amazon’s decision to cut its losses and reassess its strategy moving forward.
Amidst a massive layoff at Amazon, the Lord of the Rings MMO has reportedly been canceled for a second time, leaving fans in anticipation of official confirmation.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available from Amazon. For now, fans may not see the game at upcoming events like the Summer Game Fest.