LOS ANGELES – May 6, 2025 – iam8bit, together with developer Wētā Workshop and publisher Private Division, have announced that Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings ™ Game, the beautiful cosy life sim that encapsulates the peaceful life of The Shire, will be receiving a physical edition and premium physical release on multiple platforms worldwide. Pre-orders for the Retail Edition and iam8bit Exclusive Edition physical release start today for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 at $39.99 each, and will be available at retailers simultaneously when digital releases on July 29, 2025.
A trailer showcasing the new physical editions is available here.
Forget The One Ring, as these editions are the ultimate prize. For both the Retail Edition and iam8bit Exclusive Edition, priced at $39.99 each, fans will receive the game on disc/cart, region-free as always, with a beautiful 20” x 16” fold-out map of Bywater, allowing fans to admire the charming surroundings and lush countryside. The iam8bit Exclusive Edition dazzles with an additional pack-in, an idyllic and exclusive book cover O-sleeve.
Shire-folk who order before second breakfast will receive a gift, an official game soundtrack download code, allowing players to be transported to The Shire whenever they’d like.
All Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game products can be pre-ordered at talesoftheshire.iam8bit.com. Assets may be downloaded here.
In Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game, players can live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of The Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this peaceful corner of Middle-earth. Join friendly Hobbits and meet familiar faces as you explore Bywater. Furnish your Hobbit hole, make new friends and enjoy simple days of splendor in the picturesque forests, lakes and pastures.
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About iam8bit
iam8bit is a creative production emporium that's been boldly redefining the entertainment industry since 2005. Its collaborative works have taken a variety of forms, including groundbreaking community events, immersive art experiences, and exclusive collectibles, all designed to bring surprise and delight to people's lives. iam8bit played a crucial role in the vinyl renaissance, minting its first record in 2010, and is the industry leader in premium physical editions of top-tier games. iam8bit evolved into financing and publishing games under its iam8bit Presents imprint, including the smash hit Escape Academy; NES mash note Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum; the chill vibes simulator Simpler Times, and the upcoming slice-of-life RPG Petal Runner. The company is based in Los Angeles and co-owned/co-creatively directed by Jon M. Gibson and Amanda White. Visit iam8bit.com or follow @iam8bit on Instagram, Bluesky or Twitter.
About Wētā Workshop Ltd
Wētā Workshop brings imaginary worlds to life by delivering concept design, physical effects, collectibles, immersive visitor experiences and games to the world’s entertainment and creative industries.
Established by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger in 1987, we are best known for our screen work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar, and Dune, our immersive visitor experiences, Gallipoli: The Scale of our War, Expo 2020 Dubai’s Mobility Pavilion and Wētā Workshop Unleashed. Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Wētā Workshop’s ground-breaking work has earned us multiple international awards. Wētā Workshop Game Studio was established in 2014 and is led by an experienced team of creative game developers and film veterans who bring Wētā Workshop’s signature storytelling, technical innovation and artistry to our games studio.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
Middle-earth Enterprises owns exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandise, live stage and services inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books by J.R.R. Tolkien. We have produced and licensed goods based upon these four books for half a century. Inspired by our deep appreciation for the fictional world created by Professor Tolkien, we are dedicated to working with those developing highest quality creations inspired by the lore; in accordance with state-of-the-art green business and sustainability practices, including fair trade, equality in the workplace, and a deep commitment to protect our Earth, its wondrous beauty, and the viability of every living creature. As Middle-earth’s stewards and custodians, our goal is to consistently deliver a wealth of great content in new and known formats; to ensure Middle-earth’s rightful place as the world’s leading fantasy IP & brand, forever.
MEDIA RESOURCES:
Media Contacts:
Jordan Boyd
fortyseven communications for iam8bit
iam8bit@fortyseven.com