For years, I’ve been dreaming of a relaxing, cozy video-game set in the Shire. Imagine something like Animal Crossing mixed with Stardew Valley, but set in Middle-earth… how perfect might that be? Well, it seems that the folks at Wētā Workshop may have been having similar daydreams. Middle-earth is no stranger to the video-game world, but there hasn’t been anything like Tales of the Shire on the market before.

We’ve had about twenty years of the typical violent, combat-style The Lord of the Rings games dominating the conversation, which is lovely if that’s your cup of tea. But with the introduction of Tales of the Shire, I couldn’t be more excited to immerse myself in something a bit more comfortable.

Here are ten quick things to know about this forthcoming game from Wētā Workshop and Private Division.

Become a Hobbit | Play as a Hobbit: customize your appearance and decorate your very own cozy Hobbit hole. Players can cook, fish, forage, garden, decorate their hobbit holes, interact with other villagers, and more.
Live in Bywater | The game is set within the up-and-coming area of Bywater, and it is up to you to help this small town achieve official village status within Hobbiton. “Help bring the community together and achieve official village status by throwing the greatest Bywater Festival the Shire has ever seen!”
Release Date | Currently, Tales of the Shire is set to release “Holiday 2024.”
Console & PC | Tales of the Shire will be available for play on Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Made by Wētā Workshop & Private Division | “The team at Wētā Workshop is creating a brilliant representation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved works that gives players the agency to create their own Hobbit experience in Middle-earth,” said Michael Worosz, Chief Strategy Officer, Take-Two Interactive, and Head of Private Division. “Players have been clamoring for a warm and inviting The Lord of the Rings game for years now, and it’s exactly what we’re delivering with Tales of the Shire.”
Description of Gameplay | “Create and personalise a Hobbit with an array of customisations to experience the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved Middle-earth universe your own way. Settle in and decorate a cosy Hobbit home, choosing from an array of furniture and home décor to create your unique, humble abode. Then head outdoors to Bywater for plenty of cooking, fishing, foraging, gardening, and more relaxing activities in the Shire. Toss your lure to catch trout from the glistening waters of Bywater Pool, gather wild mushrooms, and then use the collected ingredients to bake a succulent pie to serve for luncheon. With a full belly, stroll back outside to explore the Shire and build relationships with the Bywater locals by helping them to build a garden, sharing one of the many daily Hobbit meals, and more.”
Single-player | As of right now, it would appear that this game will be single-player only — though I’m still hoping it might become available for multiplayer or online play someday!
No-Combat | In a world filled primarily with combat-heavy and violent The Lord of the Rings games such as Shadows of Mordor, Tales of the Shire sets itself apart as a cozy, peaceful, relaxing game.
Animation Style | The animation style for the game is adorable, featuring primarily soft pastels and simple designs.
Official Website | Learn more and stay up-to-date on news about The Tales of the Shire by visiting their official website here.

Early Reviews for The Tales of the Shire:

About Wētā Workshop

Wētā Workshop brings imaginary worlds to life by delivering concept design, physical effects, collectibles, immersive visitor experiences and games to the world’s entertainment and creative industries.
Established by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger in 1987, we are best known for our screen work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar, and Dune, our immersive visitor experiences, Gallipoli: The Scale of our War, Expo 2020 Dubai’s Mobility Pavilion and Wētā Workshop Unleashed. Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Wētā Workshop’s ground-breaking work has earned us multiple international awards. Wētā Workshop Game Studio was established in 2014 and is led by an experienced team of creative game developers and film veterans who bring Wētā Workshop’s signature storytelling, technical innovation and artistry to our games studio.

Learn more: www.wetaworkshop.co.nz