• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 3, 2025

Amazon’s Gaming Woes Continue

  • Amazon has canceled its game based on ‘Lord of the Rings.’
  • The cancelation isn’t Amazon’s first misstep in gaming.
USA Today/Design: Alex Brooks

Amazon’s video game division has canceled of an online role-playing game based on the “Lord of the Rings” series. 

First announced in 2019, the game was a collaboration between Amazon Game Studios and China-based video game holding company Leyou Technologies. 

Due to contract disputes between Amazon and Leyou’s parent company, Tencent, the game was shelved. 

“We love the ‘Lord of the Rings’ IP and are disappointed that we won’t be bringing this game to customers,” said an Amazon spokesperson. 

This isn’t Amazon’s first misstep in gaming. 

The company emerged as a major player in the industry following the launch of Amazon Game Studios and the acquisition of streaming service Twitch for $970 million in 2014. At the time, it was the biggest acquisition in Amazon’s history. 

But despite the bevy of resources and time, the company has been unable to release a successful video game. 

After years of development, Amazon planned to fully release “Crucible,” a free-to-play, multiplayer shooting game. However, a beta that failed to meet expectations caused the cancelation of that project in October. 

Last year, Amazon was set to debut a game based on colonial America titled “New World,” but its preliminary content was deemed racist and offensive by a consultant, forcing a delay to 2021.

Amazon is spending nearly $500 million annually on its game studio and, so far, has nothing substantial to show for it. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Amazon NASCAR Ratings Down 17%, but Skew Younger

Prime Video averaged 2.16 million per race during its five-event stretch.
exclusive

LeBron James’s Growing Amazon Ties Could Lead to Prime Role

James has praised Prime’s NBA talent hires for the 2025–26 season.

NASCAR Amazon Ratings Down 25% From 2024 Fox Broadcasts

The streamer is averaging just over 2 million viewers per race.
exclusive

ESPN’s Ashley ShahAhmadi Targeted by NBC, Prime for NBA Role

ShahAhmadi has covered high-profile college football and NBA games for ESPN.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

Thunder Favored, but Bettors Backing Pacers Big in NBA Finals

The most bet-on exact series outcome is the Thunder winning in five.
Fanduel
March 4, 2025

FanDuel Retains Sports Betting Crown With $14B in 2024 Revenue

The FanDuel parent company posts big increases in revenue and net income.
May 8, 2025

FanDuel Misses Projections As Betting Favorites Dominate 

FanDuel is hit by customer-friendly betting outcomes during March Madness.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
February 20, 2025

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.
DraftKings app
February 14, 2025

Lawsuit Says DraftKings VIP Program ‘Preyed On’ Gambling Addicts

The company’s being sued for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
August 20, 2024

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.