Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game launched on July 29, 2025. March 25, 2025 was its originally announced release date, not the date it ultimately launched. The game is available on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
When did Tales of the Shire come out?
Take-Two Interactive Software and Private Division announced on September 23, 2024 that Tales of the Shire would launch March 25, 2025. Wētā Workshop’s current project page lists the actual launch date as July 29, 2025. The original announcement and the developer’s current page therefore describe different dates: one was the plan, the other the eventual launch.
What platforms is Tales of the Shire on?
Wētā Workshop currently lists four platforms: PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The 2024 announcement also named Netflix Games, but the current project page does not list it; that earlier plan alone does not establish that Netflix Games is a current option.
What kind of game is it?
Wētā Workshop describes Tales of the Shire as a cosy life simulation set in Bywater, in a period between the larger epics of Middle-earth. You create a Hobbit and settle into village life through activities such as gardening, fishing, foraging, cooking, decorating a home with grid-free furniture placement, meeting residents, and completing club missions. Helping the settlement gain official village status gives those quieter routines a shared goal.
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- Welcome Home, Hobbit – Decorate your own Hobbit-home and transform this cosy space with grid-free placement to position furniture and home décor to your liking. Discover the wonders each new day brings to Bywater as you settle into your serene home for much needed rest
- Food Is Love – No Hobbit’s day is complete without food. Fish, garden, and forage to stock up the pantry with the fruits of your labour. Harvest seasonal crops and flowers as time passes in your home. Enjoy the warmth of the kitchen and show off your culinary skills with recipes for mealtimes. Partake in second breakfast or host a dinner party with fellow Hobbits. Share meals with invited guests to create new relationships.
- Explore Bywater – Explore the outdoors to discover secret glades and lost treasures of the Shire. Experience the ever-changing weather that affects daily routines and discover seasonal surprises based on the time of year. Gain rewards through your story progression. Meet iconic characters and familiar Hobbit families to trade for upgrades to skills, clothes, home, and more. Join club missions to complete daily activities and help gain official village status in Bywater
- Bonus Items - Includes a beautiful 20”x16” fold-out map for the quaint village of Bywater and an official game soundtrack download code.
- Languages - English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Simplified Chinese, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (LATAM), Turkish, and Traditional Chinese
Wētā Workshop Game Studio developed the game. The developer’s current page identifies Fictions, a Take-Two Interactive publishing label, as publisher; the September 2024 announcement named Private Division. Those descriptions reflect the respective sources and dates.
Richard Taylor, Wētā Workshop co-founder, co-CEO and chief creative officer, described the project as a way to give fans “a quieter, more peaceful time” in a less explored corner of the Lord of the Rings universe. That is the developer’s framing of the game’s appeal, rather than a claim about how every player will experience it.
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- The physical version includes a beautiful fold-out map of the picturesque village of Bywater and a download code for the game's official soundtrack
- Live Your Cosy Hobbit Life: Play as a Hobbit, directly out of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved books! Personalise your appearance and put on your best Hobbit attire with an array of customisations
- Welcome Home, Hobbit: Decorate your own Hobbit home and transform this cosy space with grid-free placement to position furniture and home décor to your liking
- Food Is Love: No Hobbit’s day is complete without food. Fish, garden, and forage to stock up the pantry with the fruits of your labour
- Explore Bywater: Explore the outdoors to discover secret glades and lost treasures of the Shire
Is Tales of the Shire available physically?
Yes. The official iam8bit regional retail page lists physical editions for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Its standard retail edition includes a fold-out map of Bywater measuring 51 × 40 cm. The iam8bit-exclusive edition includes the map as well as an additional book-cover sleeve.
| Edition | Platform | Packaging and included item | Availability details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard retail | PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch | Physical game and 51 × 40 cm fold-out Bywater map | The Australian iam8bit page lists Amazon Australia, EB Games, JB Hi-Fi, and BIG W as retailers. Stock and pricing are not stated consistently across regions or retailers. Official regional retail page |
| iam8bit exclusive | PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch | Physical game, fold-out map, and book-cover sleeve | Listed on the same regional page; current stock and price can vary by territory. Official regional retail page |
The retailer list is for Australia; it does not confirm inventory or retailer availability in other countries. Check the seller’s current listing for your region before ordering, and make sure the edition matches your console. Steam also lists an official soundtrack as a separate digital product, not as a physical edition of the game: Steam listing.
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- WHAT’S IN THE BOX: Meet the Tales Family Edition Conversation Deck: a curated set of 150 fun and relatable conversation starters designed specifically for families. These prompts help spark authentic discussions, encourage meaningful connections, and inspire families to open up in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
- SPECIALLY CRAFTED FOR FAMILY: This card games deck features questions written with Family life in mind, covering school, friendships, hobbies, goals, and everyday experiences. Each card is created to feel inviting, engaging, and relevant—perfect for encouraging real talks and genuine bonding.
- EASY & VERSATILE TO USE: Whether you're hosting a sleepover, road trip, classroom activity, family dinner, or casual hangout, these cards make it simple to get teens interacting and reducing screen time. Just pull a card and let the conversation flow.
- DURABLE AND PORTABLE DESIGN: Crafted with a compact, durable build, this deck is easy to toss into a bag and take anywhere. It’s a go-to activity for parties, game nights, school events, or on-the-go conversation.
- BUILD CONNECTIONS THAT LAST: In a world full of distractions, these cards help teens slow down and share what really matters. The Teens Edition encourages meaningful conversations, moments of laughter, new discoveries, and stronger relationships with friends and family.
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- Die physische Version enthält eine wunderschöne Ausklappkarte des malerischen Dorfes Bywater, sowie einen Download-Code für den offiziellen Spiel-Soundtrack
- Führe ein gemütliches Hobbit-Leben: Spiele als Hobbit aus den beliebten Büchern von J.R.R. Tolkien!
- Willkommen zu Hause, Hobbit: Dekoriere dein eigenes gemütliches Hobbithaus und verwandle sie mit frei platzierbaren Möbelstücken in dein Paradies
- Essen ist Liebe: Ohne Essen fehlt dem Tag eines Hobbits etwas. Angle, gärtnere oder sammle, um deine Vorratskammer mit den Früchten deiner Arbeit zu füllen
- Erkunde Bywater: Erkunde deine Umgebung, um geheime Lichtungen und verlorene Schätze im Auenland zu entdecken.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
