A dev tried to warn WB Games not to launch Lord of the Rings: War in the North 10 days before Skyrim, but was ‘overruled’
A former developer says he warned Warner Bros. Games against releasing The Lord of the Rings: War in the North only 10 days before The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but the decision was overruled. The episode matters because it illustrates how a crowded launch window can undermine a game’s prospects, even when its team recognises the commercial risk.
Snowblind Studios released the co-operative action RPG on 1 November 2011, while Skyrim arrived on 11 November amid several other major autumn releases. War in the North received mixed reviews and disappointing sales, and WB Games closed Snowblind shortly after launch; the developer believes the timing contributed significantly to the result.
- Developer warned against launching near Skyrim.
- WB Games reportedly overruled the concern.
- Poor timing coincided with weak sales and Snowblind’s closure.