It’s Time for Big Corporations to Step Back from The Lord of the Rings

Amazon has reportedly scrapped its plans for a The Lord of the Rings MMO, and honestly, that’s a relief. The last thing we needed was Amazon Games, known for titles like New World and Crucible, getting involved in a project like this. Yet, the corporate giant seems unable to resist the allure of Middle-earth, and with dollar signs in their eyes, they’re apparently exploring more games set in this universe. They really shouldn’t.

In a recent interview, the general manager of Amazon Games, Jeff Gattis, revealed that the company is currently evaluating concepts for another LOTR game. “I looked at a prototype as something pretty interesting just a couple of weeks ago,” he mentioned. “We’re just evaluating different concepts, but unfortunately, I don’t have a hard ‘This is what we’re going to do’ I can give you today.”

It’s frustrating to see this ongoing interest. Amazon just can’t seem to let The Lord of the Rings be. They’re not alone, though; other companies like Embracer Group and Warner Bros. are also eager to cash in on this franchise. It seems that every executive is more focused on the financial success of Peter Jackson’s films than on the rich narratives and themes that Tolkien crafted. They believe that by slapping familiar characters like Frodo and Legolas onto their products, they can replicate that success.

Tolkien’s works are masterpieces of literature, filled with beautiful prose, a richly developed fantasy world, and complex characters. They delve into profound themes such as hope, mortality, free will, bravery, power, history, war, environmentalism, and spirituality. Most importantly, Tolkien’s stories celebrate goodness, kindness, and peace, showcasing humble heroes and a hopeful vision of a better world.

It’s easy to see how companies like Amazon could embody the very villains of Tolkien’s tales, with their relentless pursuit of power and wealth, disregard for the environment, and a history of poor treatment of workers. A trillion-dollar corporation, the ultimate Smaug, shouldn’t be anywhere near The Lord of the Rings. Just look at the statement made when Amazon first announced the now-canceled MMO, and tell me that this kind of corporate language aligns with the spirit of Tolkien’s universe:

“We have the clear ambition to create the highest-quality entertainment products for this IP, whether we utilize internal resources or team up with the best industry partners that complement our capabilities. We’re taking every care to deliver an MMO which will do justice to the expansive Middle-earth universe and delight players around the world.”

This kind of rhetoric doesn’t inspire confidence. While I believe there are genuine fans of The Lord of the Rings involved in these projects, I’m skeptical that those in charge truly appreciate the source material. This skepticism is only heightened by reports of mistreatment of staff working on Gollum in 2023.

To be clear, I do think some adaptations of The Lord of the Rings have been well done by larger companies. For instance, Rings of Power had its moments, and the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor games are enjoyable, even if they stray from the core essence of LOTR. I also don’t believe any work of fiction should be off-limits. If The Lord of the Rings were in the public domain, I’d be all for seeing the wildest fan creations come to life. What truly frustrates me is the grip these massive corporations have on such beloved literature.

I recognize that my perspective may come off as harsh, and it might be unfair to those who have genuinely put effort into the adaptations I mentioned. However, I’m exhausted by the constant churn of intellectual property, the relentless push for prequels, sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, and the way ideas are recycled until they lose all connection to their origins. It feels fundamentally wrong, and contrary to the spirit of the books, that many people’s first encounter with The Lord of the Rings in the future might involve microtransactions.

Maybe I’m just getting older and frustrated that fewer people seem to appreciate reading these days.