An announcement was made recently by developer Wētā Workshop and publisher Private Division regarding the delay of Stories from the Shire, originally set for a 2024 release, now rescheduled for early 2025. The update was conveyed through a concise message shared on social media:
The team at Weta Workshop is thrilled to welcome you to the Shire, a tranquil segment of J.R.R. Tolkien’s realm. When a fresh Hobbit enters Bywater for the first time, we aim for that instant to exceed your expectations. To guarantee the fulfillment of that vision, Stories from the Shire will see its premiere in early 2025.
We appreciate your patience and unwavering support. Don’t forget to catch our A Hobbit Day Showcase on September 22nd for further insights on Stories from the Shire and our new launch date.
Stories from the Shire was first revealed approximately a year ago as a snug single-player adventure situated in Tolkien’s cherished Hobbit territory from The Lord of the Rings. Players have the freedom to personalize their Hobbit’s appearance and garb, as well as adorn their Hobbit abode with gridless placement for arranging furniture and home embellishments to their liking.
Any aficionado of The Lord of the Rings is undoubtedly familiar with the Hobbits’ fondness for food. In Stories from the Shire, players will engage in foraging, fishing, and tending to their gardens to amass supplies, reaping seasonal crops and blossoms as time elapses in their home turf. Wētā Workshop has also pledged a substantial amount of exploration, enabling players to wander Bywater and unearth hidden treasures in the secluded glades of the Shire.
The ever-changing weather patterns will impact daily routines, with seasonal surprises tied to the time of year. Along the game’s narrative, players will cross paths with iconic figures for trade, and completing guild missions will propel the objective of attaining official village recognition in Bywater.
Stories from the Shire is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and Nintendo Switch. More details, including the specific launch date, will be disclosed next week as part of the Hobbit Day Showcase.
