The Lord of the Rings Set for New $100 Million Open-World RPG to Rival Hogwarts Legacy

The fantasy gaming landscape is about to welcome a formidable new challenger as The Lord of the Rings returns with an ambitious new project, backed by a colossal budget of over $100 million. Designed to go head-to-head with Hogwarts Legacy, this upcoming title aims to redefine open-world fantasy experiences and reignite the magic of Middle-earth for a new generation of players.
According to reports from Insider Gaming, the project has received partial funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), following over a year of negotiations. The Embracer Group, which has owned the rights to The Lord of the Rings IP since 2022, is also involved alongside developer Revenge. While Embracer declined to comment, citing its policy against responding to rumors or speculation, the scale of the project has already generated major buzz among fans.

The game is expected to be a third-person action-adventure title, built as a direct competitor to Hogwarts Legacy. Industry insiders believe it will likely embrace a vast open-world format, allowing players to fully explore Middle-earth’s legendary realms and iconic locations in unprecedented detail.
Over the years, The Lord of the Rings franchise has spawned numerous adaptations across genres, from the classic real-time strategy series The Battle for Middle-earth to the popular MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online. The critically acclaimed Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War further cemented the IP’s place in gaming history. However, more recent attempts have met with mixed results The Lord of the Rings: Gollum faced heavy criticism for falling short of expectations, while Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game found a warm reception among life-sim fans. Meanwhile, Return to Moria stood out for its survival and crafting systems deep within the legendary mines.
Although many details about this new project remain under wraps, the scale of its budget, the pedigree of the development team, and its clear ambition to rival Hogwarts Legacy have raised expectations sky-high. Fans are eagerly anticipating the chance to step back into a richly realized Middle-earth and experience one of the most ambitious fantasy worlds ever brought to life in gaming.
The key question now is whether this project can restore the franchise’s glory after several disappointing releases. The gaming world will be watching closely for the official reveal, expected to arrive soon, as Middle-earth prepares to rise once more on the global stage.