Controversial decision to make Shelob a woman in Shadow of War explained by Monolith
Loose interpretation, but I’ll buy it
Gamers love to preach about how video games have the power to take narratives where books and movies do not. However, whenever a developer actually tries to do that, they freak out in the name of canon, and retreat into their conservative, elitist shells, fearing the very change that they promote.
It’s important to remember that these Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor games are not part of the Tolkien Legendarium but rather, simply fan-fictions. A bunch of writers, who are also probably Tolkien nerds themselves, pounced on two very small details that we overlook and created the potential for a new story. Shelob is a spirit who takes a spider form, and yes, Frodo ultimately succumbed to the Ring and failed his quest. It was Gollum who had to finish it for him at the very end… accidentally.
From this spring board, we get those new narratives that video game writers can take us to. Here’s a game that’s actually doing it, but the mental defenses are going up and the flames are coming out.
Remember, it’s all just an interpretation. Your precious canon, is still intact, precious. Yesss….
Middle-earth: Shadow of War will be available on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on Oct. 10.
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Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2017/08/16/controversial-decision-to-make-shelob-a-woman-in-shadow-of-war-explained-by-monolith/