Amazon says it remains committed to making a Lord of the Rings game, despite reports that its previously discussed MMO project had been cancelled. The company has not confirmed a final game concept, but its head of games, Jeff Gattis, says several possibilities are still being considered.
Image credit: Warner Bros.
Amazon is still considering a Lord of the Rings game
In an interview, Gattis said the project had not been cancelled outright and that Amazon was reviewing different concepts. He described seeing a proposal recently that he found promising, while emphasizing that the company is still deciding what kind of game to make.
That decision, he explained, involves identifying an experience that fits both Amazon’s audience and players more broadly. For readers following the project, the key distinction is that Amazon has expressed continued interest in the franchise, but has not announced which concept it will pursue.
What is known about the reported MMO cancellation?
Reports last month said Amazon’s Lord of the Rings MMO had been cancelled. At that time, Gattis did not confirm or deny the reports. Instead, he said Amazon was working on a new game experience set in the Lord of the Rings universe, collaborating closely with Middle-earth Enterprises, and remained enthusiastic about the intellectual property.
His latest comments point to continued evaluation rather than a confirmed revival of the MMO. The available information does not establish whether the eventual project will be an MMO or another type of game. No specific gameplay details or release timing were provided, so those details remain unknown.
Amazon’s approach to game development
Amazon’s games portfolio also includes Tomb Raider and James Bond. Gattis said the company is currently giving priority to established intellectual properties rather than focusing only on original franchises. At the same time, Amazon is investing in new game mechanics, some of which could potentially lead to original properties in the future.
He acknowledged that multiple projects are in development, while noting that they are not yet ready to be presented as finished examples. This means that broad portfolio plans should not be mistaken for confirmed launch announcements. Readers should look for specific project updates before drawing conclusions about release schedules or features.
Amazon’s commitment to AAA games
Gattis also reaffirmed Amazon’s interest in the AAA market. He said the company has spent the past year assessing which types of content make sense for its business. Broadly appealing intellectual property can connect with Amazon’s Prime Video audience, but the company does not want to produce a large-scale game without a clear reason for it to exist within Amazon.
For the Lord of the Rings game, that approach suggests Amazon is weighing the concept and audience fit before moving forward. The company’s statements confirm ongoing interest, not a finished plan. Until Amazon shares more, the format, features and timing of the project remain undecided.
What to watch for next
The most useful indicators of progress will be an official announcement of the chosen concept, confirmation of the game’s format, and concrete details about development or launch plans. For now, Amazon says it is still evaluating ideas and remains committed to creating a game in the Lord of the Rings universe.