12 Things Amazon Games Should Do to Ensure Their Lord of the Rings MMORPG Stays True to Tolkien

If Amazon Games plays their cards right, they could see their upcoming Lord of the Rings MMORPG dethrone Blizzard’s aging giant, World of Warcraft. WoW is showing its age, not just in years but in its struggle to innovate, leaving a gap ripe for a truly immersive fantasy world like Middle-earth to take over.

Tolkien’s Middle-earth isn’t just another fantasy; it’s the motherlode of all fantasy IPs. With over 150 million copies of “The Lord of the Rings” sold, translated into 50 languages, and when you toss in all of Tolkien’s works, you’re looking at 500 million books sold. This isn’t just a franchise; it’s a cultural phenomenon.

The fanbase for Middle-earth is not just large; it’s zealous. They’ve been dreaming of a place in Tolkien’s world for years. Christoph Hartmann from Amazon Games sees this MMORPG as the perfect gateway for non-gamers into Tolkien’s universe, much like how “Hogwarts Legacy” brought in fans who never played games before, amassing over a billion dollars in revenue.

To pull this off, Amazon has to cater to both the hardcore Tolkien enthusiasts and seasoned MMO gamers. It’s a Herculean task, but one that’s within grasp if they navigate the pitfalls wisely.

The MMO genre has been stuck in a rut, often due to a lack of vision or outright incompetence. If ever there was an MMORPG that needed to succeed, it’s this one. I envision Hartmann as Gandalf the Grey, guiding Amazon Games on a quest to reach the metaphorical Mount Doom where success awaits.

My Warning to Amazon Games

Here’s the deal: Amazon Games must stay true to Tolkien. No bending the lore to appease modern sensibilities. Their loyalty to Tolkien’s vision is also a sign of respect to his legion of fans.

The real allure for these fans is the escape into an authentic Middle-earth. Nothing less than a complete immersion will do for those of us who’ve longed to live in this world since our first read of Tolkien’s saga.

Whether it’s baking bread in Hobbiton or forging steel as a dwarven blacksmith, living out these dreams should be possible in the game. Amazon has the resources to make these fantasies a reality; only a lack of vision or heart would fail them here.

Immersion into Middle-earth should be the north star for this project. Scholarly works on Tolkien can light the way, ensuring every step taken is in line with his vision.

With that in mind, here’s my list of 12 commandments for Amazon Games to keep their MMORPG true to Tolkien:

1. Respect the Lore

The soul of Middle-earth is its lore, from the grand histories to the minutiae of daily life in the Shire. Amazon must dedicate themselves to this lore, ensuring every detail aligns with Tolkien’s writings. This means no shortcuts or simplifications; every race, every event must be as Tolkien described, with new elements carefully woven into the fabric of his world without distorting it.

Hiring a true Tolkien scholar, like Tom Shippey, would be a masterstroke. It would signal to fans that Amazon is genuinely committed to preserving Tolkien’s vision. His involvement could ensure that the game’s lore expansions or interpretations are not only faithful but also enrich the player’s understanding of Middle-earth, giving depth to the gameplay that’s both educational and entertaining.

2. Authentic Signature Character Representation

The characters in Tolkien’s world are not flat; they’re complex with histories that shape them. From Gandalf’s wisdom to Samwise’s humility, each character needs to be portrayed with the depth Tolkien intended. This isn’t just about likenesses; it’s about capturing their essence, their growth, and the impact they have on the narrative and each other.

This means capturing the evolution of these characters through the game’s narrative arcs, ensuring players see the same growth and complexity that made them iconic in the books. Their interactions should reflect the books’ relationships, with dialogue that echoes Tolkien’s style, bringing these beloved figures to life in a way that feels both true to the source and fresh for newcomers.

3. Language and Dialogue

Tolkien’s languages are not mere decoration; they’re part of the world’s fabric. The game should feature these languages everywhere, from inscriptions to spoken dialogue, ensuring the speech captures the poetic essence of Middle-earth. Players should be able to learn and use Sindarin or Khuzdul, not just for immersion but as a way to engage with the culture of the races.

Using the formalities and idioms of the time would give dialogue an authentic feel, enhancing the immersive experience for players who appreciate Tolkien’s linguistic genius. This could include special quests or achievements for those who delve into the study of these languages, making the game a living tribute to Tolkien’s linguistic work.

4. Impactful World Building

Each region of Middle-earth tells a story. The game should bring these landscapes to life, from the expansive plains of Rohan to the haunting woods of Mirkwood, making players feel like they’re walking through Tolkien’s pages. This means not just visual splendor but also environmental storytelling where players discover lore through exploration, akin to reading the Silmarillion or The Hobbit.

Environmental storytelling should be key, where the landscape itself narrates the history, battles, and legends that have shaped Middle-earth over millennia. Ruins might whisper tales of past glory or tragedy, while the natural beauty of the world could offer moments of peace, reflecting the themes of hope and renewal in Tolkien’s work.

5. Respectful Storytelling

Tolkien’s tales delve into deep themes of friendship, the battle between good and evil, and the corrupting nature of power. The game’s stories should weave these themes seamlessly, offering players choices that echo the moral complexities of the books. Quests shouldn’t just be about defeating enemies but about making decisions that reflect the characters’ struggles and virtues.

Quests should feel like they could have happened in Tolkien’s world, providing players with narratives that expand on the lore without contradicting it. This could involve personal stories of NPCs, legendary quests that fit into the timeline of the Third Age, or even player-driven narratives where your actions affect the world’s fate, capturing the essence of Tolkien’s storytelling.

6. Appropriate Cultural Representation

Middle-earth’s cultures are rich with unique customs and beliefs. The game should reflect this diversity, showcasing the reverence Elves have for nature, the craftsmanship of Dwarves, the honor-bound society of Gondor, or the simple joys of Hobbit life. Each race should feel distinct in their interactions, aesthetics, and way of life, true to how Tolkien envisioned them.

Activities like festivals, crafts, or diplomatic missions could be gameplay elements, giving each race a distinct flavor in how they interact with the world, deepening the cultural immersion. Players should feel they’re part of a living, breathing society, where cultural exchange and understanding are as vital as combat or questing.

7. Robust Community Engagement

Engaging with fans paid off for Peter Jackson when he made the masterful Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Amazon should follow suit by involving the community in development, from beta testing to fan-driven lore expansions. This isn’t just about feedback; it’s about making players feel part of the creative process, ensuring the game grows with its community’s passion and knowledge.

This engagement could lead to a game that resonates deeply with those who’ve lived in Middle-earth through Tolkien’s words, ensuring the community feels a part of the game’s evolution. Fan contests, live events, and even player-created content could be integrated, keeping the game dynamic and ever-expanding, much like Tolkien’s own world-building.

8. Inventive Gameplay Mechanics

Gameplay should echo Tolkien’s narratives, emphasizing cooperation and stealth over brute force, reflecting the Fellowship’s journey. The game should encourage players to work together, to strategize, and to value each other’s skills, much like the characters in the books relied on each other’s strengths to overcome adversity.

Interactions with the environment, like influencing seasons or crafting, should have significant narrative impact, echoing the stories of Middle-earth where actions have consequences. Players could, for instance, affect the world’s balance by protecting nature or aiding in the reconstruction of battle-ravaged lands, embodying themes of stewardship and sacrifice.

9. Avoid Over-Monetization

Monetization shouldn’t break immersion. Avoid pay-to-win scenarios; in-game purchases should enhance the experience without compromising the world’s integrity. The focus should be on creating a fair, balanced game where everyone can enjoy Tolkien’s world on equal footing, not on exploiting player wallets.

Special editions or collector’s items should celebrate Middle-earth rather than exploit it, keeping the focus on Tolkien’s vision rather than profit. Cosmetic items, perhaps inspired by the lore, could be offered, but they should feel like a way to further appreciate the world’s beauty and detail, not a necessity for gameplay.

10. Maintain Tolkien’s Cultural Context

“The Rings of Power” faltered by altering Tolkien’s world for modern appeal. Amazon should resist this temptation, keeping the story true to its original cultural and racial dynamics. This isn’t about ignoring diversity but about respecting the diversity Tolkien himself portrayed, which is based on the cultures, histories, and mythologies he crafted.

No modern political agendas or forced diversity should alter Tolkien’s carefully crafted world. This ensures the narrative remains as authentic as he intended, preserving the integrity of his work. The focus should be on the universal themes of his stories, which resonate across time and culture without needing contemporary reinterpretation.

11. Analyze Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO)

Learning from LOTRO’s successes and failures is crucial. Its landscapes and lore were well-received, but issues like outdated graphics, a clunky UI, and repetitive gameplay mechanics need addressing. Amazon should study what made LOTRO beloved by fans and where it fell short to avoid those pitfalls.

By refining these elements, Amazon can create a game that not only honors Tolkien but also sets a new standard in the genre, learning from past mistakes to deliver a more polished experience. This could mean modernizing the interface, streamlining gameplay, and ensuring that any new content feels like a natural part of Middle-earth rather than an add-on.

12. Encouraging Role-Playing for Immersion

Role-playing is key to immersion in such a richly detailed world. Amazon should support this by offering dedicated role-playing servers where storytelling and character development take precedence over combat and grind. These servers would allow for a community to thrive where players can live out their own Middle-earth tales, with rules that encourage creativity and authenticity to the lore.

Providing tools like emotes, character-specific dialogue, and quests that encourage role-play will deepen the experience. Community events and guides on role-playing within the lore will also enrich the game’s community, making Middle-earth feel vibrant and alive. This could include in-game journals, bard performances, or cultural festivals, all tailored to enhance player interaction and narrative immersion.

This focus on role-playing could fill a gap left by other MMORPGs, offering a unique experience that not only attracts dedicated role-players but also makes Middle-earth feel vibrant and alive for everyone, creating a living world where every player’s story adds to the tapestry of Tolkien’s creation.

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, Amazon Games can craft an MMORPG that truly embodies Tolkien’s Middle-earth, earning the respect and love of fans worldwide. If they build it with this level of dedication and respect for the source material, they’ll not just have players; they’ll have believers.

If you build it, they will come.

–Wolfshead