Amazon’s upcoming The Lord of the Rings series will once again bring viewers to Middle-earth. But soon Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will let fans immerse themselves in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world anywhere they go. The studio has announced development of a new mobile game, The Lord of the Rings: Rise of War. It will take place during the time of the original trilogy, and will feature familiar faces and locations.
But it might not be a format fans are ready to go to war with.
We are pleased to announce our collaboration with NetEase, Inc. on the mobile game development of The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War. Set in the Third Age of Middle-earth, this latest mobile strategy game will feature iconic characters and locations from the original trilogy. pic.twitter.com/2cwlnmiFtL
— Warner Bros. Games (@wbgames) June 15, 2020
WB Games and NetEase, Inc. announced they are working together on a new officially licensed mobile strategy game for The Lord of the Rings. It’s “based on the iconic trilogy of books by Tolkien” and is set in the Third Age of Middle-earth. That’s the time period of the novels, from Sauron’s first defeat by the Last Alliance all the way until Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, Bilbo, and Frodo left for the Undying Lands.
Very little is known about the game right now, but as Reuters notes this is the latest attempt by the Chinese-owned NetEase to expand its mobile game footprint. The company has seen a rise in revenue COVID-19, as more people have been home playing video games.
WB Games
Despite being based on a wildly popular IP, the initial response to the game has been more of a nightmare than a fantasy. Some fans are worried about potential in-game purchases turning Rise of War into a micro-transaction money-maker rather than a fun and exciting exploration of Middle-earth.
Such a shame to see the Lord of the Rings IP being used for what is undoubtedly going to be your typical mobile microtransaction filled pay to win garbage
— Luc // HiddenXperia (@HiddenXperia) June 15, 2020
What an utter shame. Give us Battle for Middle Earth 3 not this crap. https://t.co/dTXbftumo4
It's gonna be another clash rip off or something riddled with in app purchases, and not something actually good even though phones are at the point where they can actually run good fleshed out games at this point.
— currently self bi-solating (@FakestOfPros) June 15, 2020
Others think a mobile game is the antithesis of the series. And many would much rather play a console game instead.
I don't consider myself a Tolkien purist by any means, but a Lord of the Rings mobile game feels...dirty to me? https://t.co/fvlaFHVwAc
— Kid Nickels (@dramsd0404) June 15, 2020
Can't wait for a lord of the rings mobile game https://t.co/UiA39Ab20Z pic.twitter.com/V4br2v3SkM
— Mookie (@jaoBLM) June 15, 2020
please why not make such an incredible name too a beautiful next gen game in a form of fantasy rpg or an mmorpg with raids and dungeons. mobile game. ffs.
— Stoys (@StoysNOR) June 15, 2020
Give us a proper lord of the rings game please. Do something for pc or and consoles please !!! Hd remake of two towers and return of the king ?
— Harley (@Hood815) June 15, 2020
An Open World 3RD Person RPG Middle Earth iP with choice of Character Factions selection, with (Next-Gen Technology)
— Gamingigs (@Gamingigs1) June 15, 2020
would be what any Gaming fan craves with mounts to travel Openworld Map.
Dwarves Warhogs, Rams, Etc...Shame fan's aren't getting this instead...
Not exactly the response WB Games or NetEase were looking for, but what did they expect? You do not simply walk into The Lord of the Rings universe without creating high expectations.
Featured Image: WB Games
