After a long wait, The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum, a new video game based on JRR Tolkien’s literary work, is set to release next month. However, it has been met with controversy due to a particular DLC announcement.
Recently, Daedalic Entertainment, the studio behind the game, unveiled the special editions, which include the base game and various bonus content, such as the original soundtrack, concept art illustrations, and a compendium of Middle-earth history.
However, what stirred up the fans was the news that they would have to pay extra for additional voice acting in Sindarin, the fictional language used by elves in the game.
Some fans were upset that they would have to purchase the special edition to hear Sindarin voice acting, but a recent tweet from the game’s official Twitter account clarified that the voice acting would be available as separate DLC.
This announcement sparked controversy and backlash from fans who believed that Sindarin dialogue should have been included in the base game.
To address the issue, the developers issued a statement to Push Square, stating that the Sindarin voice acting would be included in the base game but only when necessary for the story. This means that significant events in the story would feature Sindarin voice acting.
Daedalic Entertainment justified the decision to offer Sindarin voice acting as a DLC, stating that it adds to the atmosphere and world-building of The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum.
The studio also hired professional voice actors, who were trained in Sindarin by lore experts, to ensure the authenticity of the voice acting.
The Sindari VO expansion adds additional Sindarin lines to some of the background characters. While exploring Mirkwood and other parts of Middle-earth, Gollum will hear various dialogues between Elves.
These dialogues add to the atmosphere and world-building. Daedalic went the extra mile and hired professional voice actors, who were trained in Sindarin by our lore experts. It’s a DLC for true Tolkien devotees who want to dive even deeper into the world of Middle-earth,” a studio representative explained.
The controversy surrounding the Sindarin voice acting DLC for The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum raises questions about the inclusion of additional content in video games.
Some argue that such content should be included in the base game, while others believe that developers should have the freedom to offer additional content for those who want to delve deeper into the game’s world.
In any case, The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum is set to release on May 25 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Whether or not fans will pay for the additional Sindarin voice acting remains to be seen.
