Where Tales of the Shire fits in The Lords of the Rings timeline

As a die-hard fan of all things Middle Earth, I can hardly contain my excitement for Tales of the Shire! Having grown up with the enchanting world of Hobbits and Elves, Dwarves, and Men, the prospect of immersing myself once more into this cozy life sim is simply irresistible.


In a special conversation with TopMob, creators of Tales of the Shire from Weta Workshop revealed the position of the game within the authentic Lord of the Ring chronology and hinted at numerous hidden references scattered across the game.

In simple terms, “Tales of the Shire” refers to a fresh Lord of the Rings game scheduled for release on March 25, 2025. Unlike other action-packed games inspired by this legendary fantasy series, “Tales of the Shire” offers players a comfortable, life simulation experience, enabling them to deeply connect with the Shire and embrace the Hobbit way of living.

As a dedicated gamer immersed in Middle-earth, I always make sure to respect the authenticity of J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeline for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series. Being part of Weta Workshop, a creative powerhouse based right here in New Zealand, this attention to detail is crucial to us as we develop our game.

During an exclusive chat with developers, we learned when the game Tales of the Shire fits into the franchise’s established timeline, as well as hinted at some exciting Easter eggs for fans to discover.

When is Tales of the Shire set?

Calliope Ryder, head producer of Tales of the Shire, mentioned that the game takes place right in the middle of the timeline between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

This timeline falls somewhere between the stories of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, offering us an abundance of intriguing elements to explore. Bilbo has returned from his journeys, while Frodo is still preparing for his own, which makes this period a fascinating setting. It also implies that we have plenty of exciting references or hidden gems (Easter eggs) we can include in this timeframe.

The game is positioned to bridge the two primary narratives within the franchise, making it essential to nail the right atmosphere. Ryder pointed out that instead of mirroring the “grim and somber” tone prevalent in most Lord of the Rings adaptations, Tales of the Shire emphasizes the Hobbit’s more “whimsical and enchanting” qualities.

As a gamer immersed in the magical world of Middle-earth, I can tell you firsthand that this game is tailored for younger adventurers, much like Bilbo Baggins himself. We aimed to embody the charming, whimsical tone found in The Hobbit books, as those are our sole sources of inspiration, straight from the mind of J.R.R. Tolkien. So, we poured our hearts into creating a world that echoes the enchanting atmosphere of Middle-earth, just as it was depicted in the stories.

Easter Eggs in Tales of the Shire

Where Tales of the Shire fits in The Lords of the Rings timeline

Every time a fresh installment drops in my favorite game series, you’ll find hidden gems scattered about like treasures. These little nuggets of backstory and details are not just a demonstration of the developers’ craftsmanship but also a way to make me feel deeply engrossed in the gaming world.

Without a doubt, TopMob inquired whether fans might discover hidden references (Easter eggs) in Tales of the Shire, regardless of their size. While there are numerous intriguing details they wished to keep secret, one Easter egg they were content to reveal pertains to specific wildlife within the game. They mentioned that there’s a particular plant and its origin that they think “only a few will be able to figure out.

In a conversation, Ryder mentioned that Kingsfoil is the plant used by Aragorn to heal Frodo after he’s wounded by the Nazgûl. He added that Tolkien frequently discusses the origins of this plant within the Fellowship, explaining how it was carried through by men and planted in various locations across different spaces.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m thrilled that we can introduce Kingsfoil as a location in Tales of the Shire. It’s fantastic because only a select group of hardcore fans will catch the reference, yet when they do, they’ll appreciate the depth it adds – a unique feeling of exclusivity and connection that comes with sharing such intricacies.

Ryder also mentioned that she’s “thrilled to observe fans delving into, discovering, and debating these details since we certainly had lengthy discussions about them ourselves.

The main focus of the game is on the Hobbits living in the Shire, but it doesn’t exclude the possibility of other Lord of the Rings races making appearances within the game.

Ryder mentioned that during this period, dwarves tended to travel along the Great East Road passing through Bywater more frequently, making it a common sight. This bustling road serves as a gateway to the larger world within this small, sheltered locale. He described it as a high fantasy setting with relatively low-stakes events.

Tales of the Shire will be released on March 25, 2025.

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2024-10-08 05:18