Take-Two Interactive publishing label, Private Division, has announced that it’s entered an agreement with New Zealand visual effects powerhouse Weta Workshop to develop a brand new game set in the Lord of the Rings universe.
Weta established a game development branch way back in 2014, but is obviously best known for its work with both practical and digital VFX in the film industry – including on the mammoth Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The studio has reportedly secured licensing for the literary works from Middle-earth Enterprises, which means they’ll have “the broadest creative license to interpret the underlying lore of the books.”
We’re thrilled to announce that we have partnered with @WetaWorkshop to publish a new game set in the literary Middle-earth universe of J.R.R. Tolkien. We look forward to sharing more about the project in the future! pic.twitter.com/z9HxvXe7Da
— Private Division (@PrivateDivision) August 15, 2022
In a blog post on its website, Weta says the game is still in early development , but it’s expected to launch during Take-Two’s 2024 fiscal year.
“We are thrilled to partner with Weta Workshop to publish a game set in such an extraordinary and celebrated universe,” says Private Division’s Michael Worosz in the post. “The Lord of the Rings IP is home to so many remarkable stories, and no entity is better equipped than the team at Weta Workshop to create a distinctive, new Middle-earth gaming experience.”
Head of Interactive at Weta Workshop, Amie Wolken, said, “It’s a privilege to create a new game set in Middle-earth, especially one that’s so different from what fans have played previously. As fans ourselves, we’re excited for gamers to explore Middle-earth in a way they never have before, and introduce new fans to the magic of The Lord of the Rings.”
LotR fans looking to get their video game fix will be able to do so next when The Lord of the Rings: Gollum releases… eventually.
