In a conversation with IGN, Christoph Hartmann, the head of Amazon Games, discussed the current state and future direction of the company. He delved into details about the Lord of the Rings MMORPG project and their venture into handling an iconic franchise like Tomb Raider.
Amazon Games is primarily recognized for its MMORPG offerings, including titles like Lost Ark, Throne & Liberty, and Blue Protocol. Despite their stronghold in the MMO realm, recent acquisitions have prompted them to explore beyond this genre. The latest reveal at Gamescom 2024 introduced a significant shift in direction with the quirky cooperative action title King of Meat, a departure from their usual releases.
“While we continue our work on established franchises like Tomb Raider, we are also investing in fresh concepts and emerging developers, although such opportunities are rare. We are not yet considered a seasoned publisher but remain a prominent player in the industry,” Hartmann stated. Despite maintaining a low profile in 2024, Amazon Games currently boasts a lineup of over ten projects in progress, with talks of acquiring additional ventures. These plans encompass the development of the next Tomb Raider installment and a new racing game developed by the team behind Forza Horizon.
Although eager to diversify their portfolio, Amazon Games remains intertwined with the allure of MMOs. Alongside projects like King of Meat and Tomb Raider, they are also invested in the Lord of the Rings MMORPG. Initially projected for a near release back in July, the status of the Lord of the Rings MMORPG has shifted, with Hartmann now describing it as being in its nascent stages.
“Our focus is currently on sculpting a unique identity for the game, avoiding falling into repetitive patterns,” Hartmann remarked. Despite recent Lord of the Rings game releases like Gollum, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, and the upcoming Tales of the Shire, these offerings have received mixed feedback from audiences, notably with Gollum sparking controversy.
The Lord of the Rings MMORPG holds vast potential for players to contribute to the narrative and construct their world within the rich franchise, yet the project also faces pitfalls.
