Tales of the Shire: Lord of the Rings-Inspired Cozy Life Sim Gets New Release Date
Middle-earth has always been known for epic battles, dark lords, and high-stakes quests, but Tales of the Shire is taking a different approach: living the cozy life of a Hobbit. Weta Workshop and Private Division’s upcoming life-sim was initially set for a 2024 release, but was delayed with a new release date of March 25, 2025, which also happens to be the day Sauron was defeated and the One Ring was destroyed.
Set in the peaceful village of Bywater, Tales of the Shire promises a slower pace, trading in the adventure of The Lord of the Rings for the comforts of farming, fishing, and, of course, second breakfast. Think of it as Middle-earth’s answer to Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, but with more pipeweed and ale.
The game allows players to create their very own Hobbit avatar, complete with customizable features, including moods and—you guessed it—foot-hair styles. After creating your character, you’ll embark on a wholesome journey of community building. Instead of battling orcs, you’ll be cultivating friendships with your fellow Hobbits and working together to make Bywater the coziest place in the Shire.
“We wanted to capture the heart of Hobbit life,” Weta Workshop said. “It’s not about slaying dragons or destroying powerful rings—it’s about the joy of simple things like cooking, gardening, and sharing a meal with friends.”
Gameplay will feature classic life-sim mechanics like farming, foraging, and fishing. But Tales of the Shire takes a uniquely Hobbit approach—cooking is a central activity, and players will have to carefully prepare hearty meals to bond with fellow Hobbits.
Originally slated for 2024, the team delayed the release to fine-tune the experience to ensure that the game lives up to its heartwarming vision of a peaceful Hobbit life.
Ready to live the cozy Shire life? Keep an eye out for more updates as the March 2025 release date approaches, and in the meantime, feel free to explore the game’s inspirations over on the official website and in the new release date teaser below.
