Tales of the Shire life sim releases in July

The upcoming game Tales of the Shire is a cozy life simulation set in the world of Lord of the Rings. It is being developed by Wētā Workshop and is set to be released in July 2025. The creative director, Stephen Lambert, has expressed the team's desire to create a game that J.R.R. Tolkien, the original author, would appreciate. Tales of the Shire focuses on having a natural, organic style of building. Lambert explains that Hobbit holes are not square, so the game's design does not stick to a rigid grid. This allows players to customize and express their creativity in building their homes. The game's storyline takes place after The Hobbit and before The Lord of the Rings, fitting neatly into Tolkien's timeline. The development team has researched the history and events of Tolkien's works to weave them into the game. Lambert emphasizes that they aim to contribute to Tolkien's world in a meaningful way, aligning with his vision of mythology. Although there are plenty of references to the books, the game is designed to be accessible. Players who enjoy a cozy gaming experience will not need extensive knowledge of the lore to enjoy decorating their Hobbit homes.