Is Gollum Game Canceled?
In a shocking revelation, Daedalic Entertainment has officially announced that they are shutdown their internal game development team, effectively canceling any future plans for their much-hyped game, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.
The news was confirmed in an official statement released by Daedalic Entertainment, which read that the studio is no longer developing games. Furthermore, the company is shifting its focus entirely to publishing and distributing other companies’ games. This decision is understood to be a permanent change in direction, leaving many unanswered questions about the future of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and whether it will ever see the light of day.
What Led to This Point?
There are a few indications that suggest this decision may not come as a complete surprise to industry professionals. In an interview last month, Carsten Fichtelmann, the CEO and founder of Daedalic Entertainment, mentioned that the studio’s plan was to shift its focus from native game development to publishing and distribution due to changing market trends. With this in mind, it seems likely that The Lord of the Rings: Gollum had already been in development hell.
What’s the Status of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum?
Considering the cancellation of Daedalic’s in-house development team, it is difficult to give a definitive answer regarding The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. However, here are some possible paths forward:
• Completion by external developers: The company may seek external development agencies to complete the game, given Daedalic’s expertise in game distribution and publishing.
• Reviving the project in the future: Perhaps Daedalic may one day revive the project under the watchful eye of new leadership, assuming any remaining staff or assets remain untainted.
• The Lord of the Rings: Gollum being a shelf project: Given the game’s early beginnings and limited development progress, it wouldn’t be shocking if The Lord of the Rings: Gollum simply sat on the shelf forever, awaiting activation or release.
Industry Perspective
While the decision marks a significant setback for Daedalic Entertainment and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, some players and gamers might celebrate the end of another mediocre title from the Middle-earth series, given the criticisms the franchise had faced in recent years.
On the other side of the coin, there are likely enthusiasts who are disappointed, yet again, by the game’s cancellation, possibly due to their own enthusiasm or fondness for the series.
Alternatives and Rivals
Since The Lord of the Rings: Gollum won’t see release, other Middle-earth set games and adventure titles can draw attention and player focus away from Daedalic. Some of these alternatives and direct competitors might include:
| Game | Platform(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main Competitor | Shadow of War | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
| Alternate Choice | The Battle for Middle-earth II | PC (as of 2021, there seems to be no plans for remake or sequel) |
In conclusion
In the realm of PC gaming, game cancellations never come easy, but knowing why they occur matters. It is possible Daedalic Entertainment took drastic measures due to external reasons, such as changes in the gaming environment, market conditions, or budget. By shifting its focus to publishing, the company is positioning itself to build a robust catalog and solidify its presence within the games industry.
This move by Daedalic Entertainment not only emphasizes the importance of game development pivots in reaction to the market, budget constraints, and uncertainties in the world but also opens doors to discussions about game development challenges facing the industry.