Fans of *The Lord of the Rings* universe, get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate cozy Hobbit life with the upcoming game *Tales of the Shire*. Here’s everything you need to know about its eagerly anticipated release.
*Tales of the Shire* is now scheduled to launch on July 29, 2025. This marks the game's second official release date and third release window. Originally, Wētā Workshop aimed for a 2024 release, but this was pushed back to March 2025, as announced on X (formerly Twitter). Subsequently, in February 2025, Wētā revised the timeline once more, setting the new release for July.
On the bright side, both PC and console versions of the game are set to launch simultaneously. This synchronized release strategy has contributed to the multiple delays, as Wētā emphasized in their February 2025 statement the need for more time to perfect the *Tales of the Shire* experience "no matter where [people] play." This approach differs significantly from the staggered release of the 2023 survival-crafting game *The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria*, where the Xbox Series X/S version came out almost a year after the Windows version.
The staggered release of *Return to Moria* was partly due to scope creep, with the console versions being announced late in development, suggesting it was initially planned as a PC-only title. This led to resource constraints for Free Range Games in completing the console versions on time. In contrast, Wētā and publisher Private Division envisioned *Tales of the Shire* as a cross-platform game from the start, which seems to have helped avoid similar deadline issues, despite the multiple delays.
When *Tales of the Shire* finally arrives, players can look forward to a rich set of features. The official website highlights extensive customization options, allowing you to "personalize your appearance and brandish your best Hobbit attire." Your Hobbit-hole home will also benefit from a "grid-free placement" system, giving you the freedom to arrange furniture and home décor as you see fit.
The game promises engaging farming and cooking mechanics, where you can even host virtual dinner parties. Exploration is a key component, featuring a trading system that lets you interact with iconic characters and familiar Hobbit families.
*Tales of the Shire* will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, offering fans across various platforms the chance to experience the serene life of a Hobbit.
This article was updated on February 25, 2025, by the original author to reflect the latest information about *Tales of the Shire*.
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