Cozy up in the hobbit world of Tales of the Shire, where players can design their hobbit homes without any grid restrictions, promoting an artistic mess. Scheduled for launch on July 29, the game offers players a chance to enjoy life in the picturesque village of Bywater, inviting them to engage in activities like gardening, fishing, and of course, home decoration.

In a recent YouTube update, the developers revealed details about the innovative decorating system. UX Designer Jordan Peat expressed, > “Home decoration is kind of one of our core ways of expressing yourself in the game. Very early on, we decided to make it gridless, so you don’t place anything on a square within a grid.”

This design choice encourages players to freely arrange shelves and items in whatever manner pleases them, resulting in potentially delightful chaos.

Nestled within this grid-free framework is the opportunity for players to bring a personalized touch to their homes, reminiscent of the cluttered charm seen in Bag End from The Lord of the Rings films. While similar mechanics in games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing often confine creativity to strict layouts, Tales of the Shire breaks from that mold, offering a more authentic experience of hobbit life.

This launch marks a highly anticipated entry into the genre, with players eager to experience the freedom in design—will it change how cozy games are enjoyed? Only time will tell!