Community Manager Assures Fans that The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) is not going anywhere

Since the announcement of Amazon Games’ new The Lord of the Rings MMO, players of The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) have voiced concerns about the future of their beloved game. Yesterday, LOTRO’s Community Manager, Cordovan, took to the forums to assure the community that LOTRO is not disappearing amidst the advent of the new MMO.

“We wanted to give everyone in the community an update and assure you all that LOTRO is not going away!” Cordovan wrote in a forum post addressing the community’s worries. He acknowledged the excitement and concern that the announcement of Amazon’s upcoming MMO had stirred among LOTRO players.

The announcement of the new MMO had sparked speculation among fans about the future of LOTRO, which has been running for over 16 years and continues to hold a loyal player base. As one of the longest-running MMORPGs, LOTRO has cultivated a passionate community of fans and players, many of whom have been playing the game since its early days.

“Like you, we, and our partners at Middle-earth Enterprises, are huge fans of LOTRO,” Cordovan added. He equated LOTRO to the enduring figures of the Ents, Elves, and Dwarves in the Tolkien universe. He reassured fans that Standing Stone Games, the developer of LOTRO, plans to continue supporting and expanding the game and its community.

Cordovan’s message seems to underscore LOTRO’s enduring nature, suggesting that the game is an evergreen fixture in the MMORPG landscape, much like the ageless beings within Tolkien’s Middle-earth. By ensuring fans that the game is not going anywhere, the community manager has put to rest some of the fears that have been floating around since Amazon Games’ announcement.

As for the future, it appears that the road indeed “goes ever on” for LOTRO. Players can rest easy knowing that the game they’ve come to love over the years will continue to be a fixture in their gaming lives, even as Amazon Games brings a new addition to the Tolkien-verse.

Amazon Games and Embracer Group’s Middle-earth Enterprises have joined forces to develop a new game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy world in “The Lord of the Rings” series. The two companies announced their agreement today, revealing plans for a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game set in the expansive realm of Middle-earth.

The upcoming game will take players on an open-world MMO adventure, immersing them in a persistent world inspired by the beloved stories of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. While still in the early stages of production, the project has garnered excitement, especially with Amazon Games Orange County leading the development. The studio, known for its popular open-world MMO game “New World,” is well-equipped to tackle the vast and immersive world of Middle-earth.

As of now, Amazon Games intends to publish the game globally for both PC and consoles, with further details regarding the launch timing expected to be revealed at a later date. Christoph Hartmann, Vice President of Amazon Games, expressed their commitment to delivering high-quality games to players, whether through original IPs or well-established franchises like “The Lord of the Rings.”

This partnership marks an expansion of the relationship between Amazon Games and Embracer Group, following their successful collaboration on the Tomb Raider franchise deal last year. The positive experience of working together has led to Middle-earth Enterprises entrusting Amazon Games with the cherished world of Tolkien’s creation.

Lee Guinchard, CEO of Freemode, the operative group to which Middle-earth Enterprises belongs, spoke about the enthusiasm surrounding the project. He expressed their ambition to create top-tier entertainment products within the expansive Middle-earth universe, whether by utilizing internal resources or partnering with industry experts. The aim is to deliver an MMO experience that faithfully represents the rich lore of Middle-earth and captivates players worldwide.

The forthcoming “The Lord of the Rings” game adds to Amazon Games’ growing success in game publishing and development. Their internally developed MMO, “New World,” and action RPG, “Lost Ark,” have enjoyed immense popularity, consistently ranking highly on platforms like Steam and Twitch while fostering strong player communities. Additionally, Amazon Games has secured publishing agreements with esteemed companies such as NCSOFT, Bandai Namco Online, and Crystal Dynamics for various upcoming titles.

While this MMO game is in development, it should be noted that it is distinct from the Amazon Studios series, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” currently airing on Prime Video. Set in Tolkien’s Second Age of Middle-earth, the TV show is unrelated to the game but aims to captivate audiences with its own unique narrative.