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NZ Herald
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Wētā Workshop's first video game Tales of the Shire launches amid mixed reviews
Tales of the Shire was conceived in late 2020, Wilks says. Pandemic lockdowns led to a boom in so-called 'cosy' games, many based around building a simple farm, that provided relaxation and respite from real life. 'At the time, it was described as a game the world needs right now, which is probably still true,' Wilks says. 'It's very much aimed at the cosy audience.' A number of reviewers were given an early look. One of the largest, IGN, with 19.2 million followers on YouTube, was brutal (see clip below), with the website calling it 'a promising idea that turned out dreadfully boring and extremely buggy'. 'Which Tolkien nerd among us hasn't daydreamed about living a relaxing life as a halfling?' IGN reviewer Travis Northup wrote. 'But instead of the warmth and comfort of the Shire, I spent 25 hours feeling like I was marching through the Dead Marshes in this cosy misadventure. 'It's regrettably dull from start to finish, and runs so badly I wasn't even allowed to be bored out of my mind in peace. 'The bare bones life sim mechanics offer some of the most shallow versions of classic activities like fishing and farming that we've seen done much better in dozens of other games, and building social links with the inhabitants of Bywater is monotonous, repetitive, and never worth the effort.' A still from Wētā Workshop's Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game, which has been released today. Wētā Workshop game studio director Tony Lawrence says there have been good reviews, too. Indie Informer called Tales' world 'a joy to exist in'. Aggregator Metacritic (the Rotten Tomatoes of gaming) gives Tales 60 out of 100 overall, based on the reviews of 15 critics (user reviews will follow after today's release). 'We've opened it up to the community for the past three days,' says Lawrence. 'Some people have had early access to the game and their response has been very positive. 'It's got what they want, which is a relaxing game set in the Lord of the Rings lore, where they can sit and be their best hobbit and explore and decorate to their hearts' content.' Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game is described as "a relaxing game set in the Lord of the Rings lore". But even some of the good reviews noted bugs. 'We have a first-day patch arriving tomorrow that will address many of the issues that have been brought up,' Lawrence told the Herald the day before the game's official release. 'We spent a lot of time getting to a point where we're very comfortable. But over the next couple of months, as you do when a game is released into the wild, we'll keep on improving based on feedback.' Game over for nine staff Wilks confirms industry chatter that nine staff were laid off from Wētā Workshop's game studio last October, leaving around 30 working on Tales of the Shire. 'Look, when you're making games, you do have ups and downs in terms of the head count. We were at the end of our production period and we didn't require as many people.' Lawrence expects staff numbers to increase again as Wētā Workshop ramps up development on its next game, which is said to be more front-foot like Diabolo (an action role-playing game). Wētā isn't sharing details at this point. 'Crunch culture' allegations A July 27 article by US tech publication The Verge carried allegations of 'crunch culture' at Wētā Workshop. 'There is nothing indicating Wētā Workshop acted illegally, but staff who spoke to The Verge said there were definitely crunch periods during the development of Tales of the Shire. One staff member said they could not remember a time when they were not working beyond 50 hours a week,' it said. The video game industry – particularly in the US – is notorious for pushing staff to work long hours. Wētā Workshop game studio director Tony Lawrence acknowledges there have been good and bad reviews for the new game. 'Among video game developers, it's called 'crunch': a sudden spike in work hours, as many as 20 a day, that can last for days or weeks on end,' the New York Times said in a general report on the sector. 'During this time, they sleep at work, limit bathroom breaks and cut out anything that pulls their attention away from their screens, including family and even food. Crunch makes the industry roll – but it's taking a serious toll on its workers.' At one of the industry's largest game developers, 'crunch' could involve staff working 12 to 14-hour shifts per day, the Times reported, implying a five-day week of up to 70 hours. Wētā Workshop co-chief executive and chief operating officer Dave Wilks says Tales of the Shire is 'about living the simple life of a hobbit'. Complaining about 50 hours per week might make some in the US game sector – and its tech and business sector in general – snort in derision, but Wētā Workshop tamps down even that figure. 'There was no 'crunch' during the development of Tales of the Shire,' Wētā Workshop chief marketing officer Jessica Wallace told The Verge. 'We extended deadlines to prioritise the wellbeing of our team, and all staff worked under New Zealand employment agreements, which ensure fair and adequate compensation for all hours worked.' The newly paywalled US publication said there was a culture shift after studio director Amie Wolken quit Wētā in November 2023 to take a position as CEO at Dinosaur Polo Club, a New Zealand indie studio (Wolken told the Herald she had no comment) and Lawrence was hired in her place six months later. 'I've never seen crunch in my time here,' Lawrence told the Herald. 'Every now and again, certainly as with any job and certainly when you're close to a deadline, hours might increase somewhat. But I wouldn't say it's outlandish. 'What I would say – and I've been working in games for nearly 20 years now – is that crunch is usually mandated, as in someone like me will say, 'We're working 10 to 12 hours, five to seven days a week'. It's never happened here, ever, and it's not going to.' Wētā Workshop, best known for its costumes and props, is owned and independently run by Sir Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger while WētāFX is majority-owned by Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Francis Walsh. The pair sold Wētā Digital's technology to US gaming and film software firm Unity in 2021 for $2.2 billion, only to rehire 265 engineers to WētāFX after Unity hit problems in late 2023. Wētā Workshop had a previous foray into gaming through an alliance with US firm Magic Leap, the maker of a steampunk-looking pair of virtual reality goggles that, in the mid-2010s, were seen by some as the next big thing in gaming as the start-up's value ballooned to US$4.5 billion. Magic Leap, now backed by Saudi money, is still chasing breakthrough success for its headgear. But it is no longer in the entertainment market, which it exited in 2020 as it laid off 1000 staff worldwide, including 15 at Wētā Workshop Interactive, its joint venture with Wētā Workshop. The culled staff formed a start-up, which was in turn bought by Pokemon Go maker Niantic. Tales of the Shire is being published (marketed and distributed) by US firm Private Division, which is connected to Middle-earth Enterprises, the company that owns the intellectual property rights for J.R.R. Tolkien's works. Wētā Workshop won't say how much the Tales of the Shire cost to develop, or the clip of the ticket that Private Division will take on sales. The single-player only Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game is available from 4am today for PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Pricing varies by platform. The Switch version is $89.99. Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald's business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Wētā Workshop's new Hobbit game Tales of the Shire a 'cosy' escape from the world
Just when you thought the Lord of the Rings product train had run out of steam, Wētā Workshop has more. On Wednesday it released a new video game that allows players to build their own home in a Hobbit village in Middle Earth. Tales of the Shire is billed as a "cosy game" providing a calmer, more meditative experience than the frenetic pace of traditional video games. Players create Hobbit characters - from choosing the possessions that adorn their Hobbit-hole homes to selecting the extent of hair on their little feet. The Hobbit avatars are moved about a picturesque Middle Earth world buffeted by seasonal winds and guided by birds as they tend to their gardens, fish, cook and interact with other townsfolk. Tales of the Shire is billed as a "cosy game". Photo: Supplied / Wētā Workshop Wētā Workshop founder Sir Richard Taylor said as the world emerged from the height of the pandemic, it made sense to create a game that was a departure from the conflict and drama that fuelled much of the Lord of the Rings films. "Tolkien described The Shire as Warwickshire circa 1890 type of world. This is pastoral England, this is beautiful days of slashing down the corn in the fields and harvesting, making hearty meals for your family," Taylor said. He said the game's look was purposely designed to emphasise the beauty and calm of the idyllic setting that was home to the Hobbits. "We wanted to create a wonderfully, painterly watercolour world so it felt like you were stepping into a living picture, dotted with trees and hobbit holes. I think it looks beautiful and it seems to fit perfectly for Tolkien's imagination of what the Shire should be," Taylor said. Wētā Workshop founder Sir Richard Taylor. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Game studio director Tony Lawrence said at its peak, 54 people collaborated on the game, working out of Wētā's Miramar workshop as well as from Italy, Australia and California. The game's creators were able to draw on the studio's 25 years of bringing Middle Earth to life to add authenticity to the settings and activities players encountered, he said. "If there's a question about Lord of the Rings we've quite a few experts just lurking around the place that can help us with anything. If we wanted to understand how a character might make a sword, having a master sword [maker] onsite is pretty good to come watch. They're the kind of things that you can't do anywhere else in any other studio," Lawrence said. Game studio director Tony Lawrence. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Tony Lawrence said the government's rebate for game developers was an important factor in helping Wētā take the time to develop the game's detail and depth. New Zealand Game Developers Association executive director Joy Keene said the scheme was reversing a trend of local game developers heading offshore to work. "It's been absolutely essential to studios - especially studios like Wētā Workshop - where the rebate has assisted them to hire more staff, pay staff more to keep them rather than those staff going offshore, and given them some stability to actually develop these games," Keene said. At its peak, 54 people collaborated on the game. Photo: Supplied / Wētā Workshop Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Business Upturn
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is ‘Sneaky Pete' returning for season 4? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 29, 2025, 18:30 IST Last updated July 29, 2025, 11:19 IST Fans of Sneaky Pete , the slick crime drama that hooked viewers with its clever cons and twisty plots, are still holding out hope for a fourth season. The show, starring Giovanni Ribisi as the charismatic con man Marius Josipović, left audiences on the edge of their seats when it wrapped up its third season in 2019. But with no official word on a continuation, what's the deal? Here's a deep dive into whether Sneaky Pete Season 4 is happening and everything known so far. The Story So Far: A Quick Recap Sneaky Pete follows Marius, a con artist fresh out of prison, who assumes the identity of his cellmate, Pete Murphy, to dodge a dangerous gangster. By 'reuniting' with Pete's estranged family, the Bernhardts, Marius gets tangled in their messy, secretive world. The show, co-created by Bryan Cranston and David Shore, blends dark humor, high-stakes cons, and family drama. Over three seasons, it earned a loyal fanbase with a 96% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 on IMDb. The third season, released on May 10, 2019, ended with some closure but left plenty of loose ends. Marius nearly revealed his true identity to the Bernhardts, only for Otto to stop him, saying, 'It doesn't matter, you're family.' Meanwhile, Julia faced legal trouble, and the Bernhardts' bail bond business was at risk after Lizzie's betrayal. Fans were left wondering: would Marius ever come clean? What happens to Julia's court case? And where's the real Pete? Why Was Sneaky Pete Cancelled? Amazon Prime Video pulled the plug on Sneaky Pete in June 2019, just weeks after Season 3 dropped. No official reason was given, which left fans frustrated and speculating. Several factors likely played a role: Shifting Priorities at Amazon : Around 2019, Amazon began focusing on big-budget blockbusters like The Boys and Lord of the Rings . Sneaky Pete , despite strong reviews, didn't fit their new 'blockbuster model.' Declining Viewership : While Season 1 was a hit, viewership reportedly dipped in later seasons. Amazon doesn't share detailed streaming data, but reports suggest Sneaky Pete wasn't a major money-maker despite being the second-most-watched original in 2017. Creative Changes: The departure of showrunner Graham Yost after Season 2 led to a tonal shift in Season 3 under Blake Masters. Some fans and critics noted a drop in quality, with Season 3 feeling less cohesive than the first two. Despite the cancellation, the show's passionate fanbase took to platforms like Reddit to express their disappointment, with many calling it one of Amazon's best originals. Is Season 4 Happening on Amazon or Elsewhere? As of July 2025, there's no confirmed Sneaky Pete Season 4 release date, and Amazon has not reversed its cancellation decision. The chances of a revival on Amazon seem slim, as the studio has shown no signs of revisiting the series. However, there's a glimmer of hope. In July 2025, Netflix picked up all three seasons of Sneaky Pete for streaming in the U.S., marking the first time the show has been available outside Prime Video. This move, driven by Sony Pictures Television's ownership of the rights, has sparked speculation about a potential revival. While Netflix hasn't announced plans for a fourth season, the platform's history of reviving canceled shows ( Lucifer , Designated Survivor ) keeps the door slightly ajar. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I went to every celebrity-owned pub in London and one drink was absolutely disgusting'
Owning your own pub seems to be the latest trend among celebrities, with Ed Sheeran, Idris Elba, Sir Ian McKellen, and David Beckham and Guy Ritchie all opening boozers in and around the capital in recent years. But not all celebrity pubs are created equal, and YouTuber Ed Chapman set out on an epic trek to find out which was the best, and worst, of the big-name boozers. And along the way, he sampled one drink that was as unpleasant as it was expensive. Sipping a frozen Aperol Spritz in one upmarket King's Cross bar, he said: 'This is probably one of the worst drinks I've ever had, truly. It's half a glass. God knows how much it's cost… and it's absolutely disgusting.' Ed started his jaunt at The Grapes, in Limehouse – a short walk from Canary Wharf. The historic pub owes its notoriety to the fact that it's owned by Sir Ian McKellen – star of the Lord of the Rings and X-Men franchises, as well as several West End stage productions. The Grapes serves a decent Guinness, Ed discovered, but it's far from roomy: 'There's a nice outside area, but there's only two tables. It is a very small, very tight pub.' He also had one or two questions about the friendliness of the service, saying that the bartender appeared to 'slam the drinks down on the bar.' Next, Ed and his cameraman hopped on a couple of Lime bikes and pedalled up to Shoreditch, where Eighties star Rick Astley co-owns the Mikkeller bar. It's focused around quirky craft beers, including the rather odd-sounding Strawberry Krush – a fruity £6 concoction that 'just tasted like lager,' according to Ed.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tales of the Shire release time and when you can fish, cook and decorate your Hobbit-hole
Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings game is less about fighting the forces of evil and more about fishing and cooking, and the upcoming release time is almost here The Lord of the Rings may be renowned for its perilous adventures, but Tales of the Shire now offers fans the opportunity to live out their Hobbit-inspired culinary and fishing dreams. While the Lord of the Rings saga is driven by a thirst for adventure, it also harbours a softer, homelier side. Frodo and Sam's quest to Mount Doom may be the most famous journey in J.R.R Tolkien's universe, but the Shire has always held the potential for a more comforting narrative. This is precisely what Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings game aims to deliver. The game allows players to immerse themselves in halfling life, preparing new dishes, decorating their homes with fresh furniture, and fishing, all while maintaining good relations with their neighbours. It's an enticing concept, particularly as gamers continue to yearn for a new Animal Crossing instalment and Hello Kitty Island Adventure fades into the background. For many, the cosiest gaming options are found in the PS Plus Extra and Premium July 2025 releases, which gave fans access to Planet Zoo and Bluey: The Video Game. Similarly, the second July Xbox Game Pass drop included Farming Simulator '25 for subscribers. While there's no shortage of cosy gaming experiences currently available, the chance to settle down in the Shire is an offer that's hard to resist. But when exactly is the release time for Tales of the Shire? Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming cosy adventure. Introducing All Out Gaming Introducing All Out Gaming, a dedicated gaming brand providing the best gaming news, reviews, previews, interviews and more! Make sure you don't miss out on our latest high-quality videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, where we'll be posting our latest reviews, previews, interviews, and live streams! You can also subscribe to our free All Out Gaming newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories. Tales of the Shire Release Time The release time for Tales of the Shire is scheduled for 9am PDT / 12am EDT / 5pm BST on Tuesday, July 29. This information has been verified by the game's team via Twitter, in several posts responding to players curious about the game's launch time. It's a firm deviation from a number of games aiming for a midnight launch, but this means that players are able to get their hands on the title as soon as possible. There's not much longer to wait for the game that promises a delightfully cosy experience in a world that is, fundamentally, rather uncosy. Leave the Balrog battles and endless evil for the next game – we've got fish to reel in.
