Amazon cancels the Lord of the Rings MMO
Intelligence Summary
- Amazon has cancelled development on the Lord of the Rings MMO and is now working on a new Middle-earth game experience.
Amazon cancels the Lord of the Rings MMO
In May 2023, a new MMO based on J.R.R. Tolkien's universe in the Lord of the Rings franchise was unveiled. The project, a collaboration between Amazon and Embracer Group's Middle-earth Enterprises, has now taken a dramatic turn. On May 14, 2026, it was announced that Amazon had cancelled development on the Lord of the Rings MMO. The news came via a statement from Jeff Grattis, head of Amazon's games division, who said the company is "still working on an immersive new game experience" set in Middle-earth.
Development and cancellation
The MMO was still in a very early stage of development, with no significant updates or gameplay elements having been revealed yet. The project aligned with Amazon's broader plans to develop AAA games. However, the progress made in recent times coincided with a period of layoffs and restructuring within the company. The MMO's cancellation also came alongside a wider decision to halt many of its first-party development projects, including those in the MMO genre.
The future of Middle-earth
Despite the MMO's cancellation, Amazon still appears to be interested in the Tolkien license. Grattis' comments suggest Amazon's creative team is still looking for ways to explore the rich world of Middle-earth in a different form. Rumors are circulating that other developers, such as Warhorse Studios and Crystal Dynamics, are currently working on their own projects set in this universe.
Impact on the team and projects
Before the cancellation, reports indicated that more than 1,000 developers had been moved from the New World team to the team working on the Lord of the Rings MMO. Many of those developers were brought in to help scale up production just before layoffs were announced in October 2025. The team had only produced a limited number of concept drawings, and progress on the MMO was not moving as quickly as hoped.
Timeline
May 2023: Amazon and Embracer Group officially announce the Lord of the Rings MMO.
Oct 2025: A broad wave of layoffs hits Amazon Game Studios, along with reports that MMO development had been halted.
May 14, 2026: Amazon confirms the cancellation of the Lord of the Rings MMO and says the team is working on a new game experience in Middle-earth.
So far, fans and Tolkien enthusiasts have seen very little concrete news about new game experiences. The MMO's cancellation is another reminder that the games industry is full of uncertainty. Amazon's future plans for the license remain unclear for now, but developers may still be building their own visions for the future of Middle-earth.