Daedalic Entertainment has begun sharing details about The Lord of the Rings – Gollum, including that it will launch on next-gen platforms.
The latest issue of EDGE Magazine includes a feature on the game, with an extensive interview with members of the development team. A key piece of information (via GameRevolution) is that the project is being planned to launch on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox, as well as PC.
One of the more intriguing pieces of commentary suggests that Daedalic is leaning into the dualistic nature of the character. Game designer Martin Wilkes noted that navigating the Sméagol/Gollum dichotomy will not necessarily be straightforward: “It’s not just choosing to be Sméagol or Gollum, because for Gollum as an entity it’s not that easy… You will have maybe two, three or four conflicts per chapter that lead to a final decision point. And at this final decision point, it will be harder to pick Sméagol, for example, if you’ve always fought for the Gollum side before.”
In most video games, it can be a bit strange when characters talk to themselves in order to give a clue to the player. However, Wilkes explained this won’t be an issue for Gollum “because Gollum talks to himself all the time anyway.”
Meanwhile, senior producer Kai Fiebig said that the two sides of the character are also intended to affect the player’s perception of him: “We have more storytelling possibilities than the movies ever had, and for us, it was very important to show a different set of emotions. We need somebody you could almost love, and on the other hand somebody you can really be afraid of.”
Daedalic Entertainment is reportedly stepping outside of its comfort zone with The Lord of the Rings – Gollum, with the game expected to be an action adventure rather than using the point-and-click style upon which the team has built its legacy.
The Lord of the Rings – Gollum is targeting a 2021 release window on PC and next-gen consoles.
