So many video games have faced major delays in the last few years that it’s starting to feel like the norm. While delays are always disappointing for fans, they’re at least a good sign that developers are treating their projects with care.The Lord of the Rings: Gollumbelongs to this camp of games. Daedalic Entertainment’sGollumis a bold concept with a protagonist that demands experimentation and creativity from the studio, so last year’sGollumdelay was likely for the best. So far, Daedalic hasn’t indicated that it needs to change its plans to releaseGollumin late 2022, so hopefully that means the game is well on its way to release.
If that’s the case, though, thenGollumis in serious need of some increased visibility.Gollumhasn’t shown its face in a new trailersince The Game Awards 2021, and even in that trailer, Daedalic Entertainment didn’t reveal any new information about the game. 2022 is moving fast, and there are a lot of games thatGollumwill compete with if it still intends to release sometime this year. In order forGollumto succeed, then Daedalic Entertainment and its newfound parent company Nacon need to start making some noise around thisLord of the Ringsgame.
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Gollum Faces Major Competition
2022 seems to be a convergence of major video game releases for the entire industry. Sony just publishedHorizon: Forbidden West,and it still plans on releasingGod of War: Ragnaroklater this year. Microsoft’s year will culminate in the much-anticipated release of Bethesda’s first new IP in years,Starfield,while Nintendo plans to support new titles ranging fromSplatoon 3toXenoblade Chronicles 3toPokemon ScarletandViolet.Projects unrelated to these console producers are already defining 2022 in video games as well, including FromSoftware’s acclaimedElden Ring.2022 is an extremely busy year for the game industry, and it’ll only get busier.
That means thatGollumhas to confront serious competition for publicity in 2022. These games and others will eat up as much attention from fans as possible, leaving little room forGollumto breathe if Daedalic doesn’t start fighting for attention now.Gollummay not be releasing until late 2022, but with so many major games releasing in the back half of the year, Daedalic can’t afford to wait until then tomakeGollum’s name known. If it plans to release the game sometime in 2022, then it has to start raising the game’s visibility as soon as possible.
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Potential Updates on Gollum
It’s hard to say when fans will hear aboutGollumnext. Daedalic has released trailers and new information on its own time on occasion, rather than waiting for a major gaming event, so a newGollumshowcase could happen anytime. In terms of events, though,Gollumdoes have a good platform coming up.Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Festwill return this summer, and it would be the perfect place to reveal moreGollumdetails and drum up interest ahead of a fall release.
Of course, if a fall release is no longer realistic forGollum,then Daedalic needs to tell fans that too. It’s okay if the game takes until 2023 to complete. A delay wouldn’t just help the game reach its internal goals; it could also allowGollumto dodge a few major game releases, putting it under less pressure. For the time being, though, a 2022 window is still on the table, which means Daedalic needs to giveGollumsome airtime. The final months before the game’s release will be crucial to the game’s success.Gollummay have the benefit oftheLord of the RingsIPwhen trying to attract players, but it still needs to impressLotRfans with interesting gameplay and story elements to sell.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollumreleases in late 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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