Tales of the Shire Release Date Revealed

Fans of the *Lord of the Rings* universe, get ready to immerse yourselves in the ultimate cozy Hobbit life simulation with *Tales of the Shire*. Here's everything you need to know about when you can expect to dive into this enchanting world.

Does Tales of the Shire Have a Release Date?

*Tales of the Shire* is set to release on July 29, 2025. This marks the game's second release date and third release window. Initially, Wētā Workshop aimed for a 2024 launch, but later announced on X (formerly Twitter) a shift to March 2025. However, in February 2025, Wētā further adjusted its timeline, pushing *Tales of the Shire* to July.

The good news is that both PC and console versions are slated to launch simultaneously. This approach seems to be the reason behind the repeated delays. In their February 2025 statement, Wētā emphasized the need for more time to perfect the *Tales of the Shire* experience across all platforms. This is a significant departure from another recent Middle-earth game, *The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria*, which had a staggered release with the Xbox Series X/S version coming nearly a year after the Windows release.

The staggered release of *Return to Moria* was reportedly due to scope creep. North Beach Games announced the console ports late in development, suggesting it was initially intended as a PC-only title. This late addition likely stretched Free Range Games' resources thin, leading to delays in the console versions.

In contrast, Wētā and publisher Private Division planned *Tales of the Shire* as a cross-platform title from the start. This foresight should help avoid similar deadline issues, even if it has resulted in multiple delays.

What Can You Expect From Tales of the Shire?

When *Tales of the Shire* finally launches, players can look forward to a rich experience filled with customization options. The game's official website highlights the ability to personalize your appearance and showcase your best Hobbit attire. Your Hobbit-hole home will also benefit from a "grid-free placement" system, allowing you to arrange furniture and home décor freely.

Beyond aesthetics, *Tales of the Shire* will feature robust farming and cooking mechanics, including the fun of hosting virtual dinner parties. Exploration plays a significant role in the gameplay, with a trading system that lets you interact with iconic characters and familiar Hobbit families.

*Tales of the Shire* will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, offering a seamless experience across all platforms.

This article was updated on 02/25/25 by the original author to include the latest information about *Tales of the Shire*.