Are the Middle-earth Games Canon?
The question of whether the Middle-earth games are canon has been a topic of debate among fans and enthusiasts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. The answer is complex and multifaceted, and it’s essential to understand the context and criteria for what constitutes canon.
Direct Answer: No, the Middle-earth games are not canon
In a straightforward answer, the Middle-earth games, including Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, are not considered canon. This is because they were created by Monolith Productions and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and not by J.R.R. Tolkien himself or his estate.
Why are the games not canon?
There are several reasons why the Middle-earth games are not considered canon:
- Lack of involvement by Tolkien’s estate: Tolkien’s estate, which manages the rights to his works, was not involved in the creation of the games. This lack of involvement means that the games do not have the blessing or approval of the estate.
- Creative liberties: The games take creative liberties with the story and characters of Middle-earth, which is not in line with Tolkien’s original works.
- Non-canonical characters and events: The games introduce new characters and events that are not present in Tolkien’s original works, which further detracts from their canonicity.
What makes a game canon?
So, what makes a game canon? Here are some key factors:
- Involvement by Tolkien’s estate: Games that are created in collaboration with Tolkien’s estate or have the blessing of the estate are more likely to be considered canon.
- Faithfulness to the source material: Games that stay true to the original story and characters of Middle-earth are more likely to be considered canon.
- Consistency with other canon sources: Games that are consistent with other canon sources, such as the books and movies, are more likely to be considered canon.
Table: Canon Criteria
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Involvement by Tolkien’s estate | Games created in collaboration with Tolkien’s estate or with the blessing of the estate |
| Faithfulness to the source material | Games that stay true to the original story and characters of Middle-earth |
| Consistency with other canon sources | Games that are consistent with other canon sources, such as the books and movies |
Games that are considered canon
There is one game that is widely considered to be canon: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North. This game was created by Omega Force and was released in 2011. It is considered canon because it was created in collaboration with Tolkien’s estate and stays true to the original story and characters of Middle-earth.
Games that are not considered canon
The following games are not considered canon:
- Shadow of Mordor: This game was created by Monolith Productions and was released in 2014. It is not considered canon because it takes creative liberties with the story and characters of Middle-earth.
- Shadow of War: This game was created by Monolith Productions and was released in 2017. It is not considered canon because it introduces new characters and events that are not present in Tolkien’s original works.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Middle-earth games are not considered canon because they were created without the involvement of Tolkien’s estate and take creative liberties with the story and characters of Middle-earth. While there is one game that is considered canon, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, the other games in the series are not.