Warhorse Studios confirms new open-world The Lord of the Rings RPG alongside new Kingdom Come: Deliverance project

Warhorse Studios, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, has officially confirmed it is working on two new major projects, including an open-world RPG set in Middle-earth and a new entry in the Kingdom Come series.

The announcement follows recent rumours suggesting the studio was expanding beyond its historically grounded RPG franchise. In a post on X, the developer confirmed the speculation, stating it is ready to reveal what it has been working on, while promising further details “when the time is right.”

A new Middle-earth RPG is officially in development

The biggest reveal is that Warhorse Studios is developing an open-world RPG set in Middle-earth, the fictional universe created by J. R. R. Tolkien and best known as the setting for The Lord of the Rings.

This marks one of the most notable Western RPG adaptations of the franchise in recent years, with expectations already high given the studio’s reputation for immersive world-building and systemic gameplay design.

While details remain limited, the confirmation alone signals a major shift in scope for Warhorse Studios, moving from grounded historical realism into full fantasy territory for the first time.

A new Kingdom Come: Deliverance game is also coming

Alongside the Middle-earth project, Warhorse Studios also confirmed development of a new entry in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance franchise.

The series is known for its realistic medieval setting, first-person combat system, and strong emphasis on historical authenticity. Its most recent entry, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, launched in 2025 to strong critical reception, further establishing the series as one of the most distinctive RPG franchises in the market.

No gameplay details, setting information, or release windows have been shared for either project.

Backed by Embracer Group’s expanding IP strategy

Warhorse Studios operates under Embracer Group, which recently announced a restructuring initiative involving several of its major intellectual properties. This includes franchises such as Tomb Raider, Metro, Dead Island, and The Lord of the Rings.

The Middle-earth RPG is expected to fall under this broader strategic push, as Embracer continues to position its portfolio around high-value legacy IPs with strong global recognition.

Strong fan reaction but a long wait ahead

Following the announcement, Warhorse Studios’ post quickly gained significant traction online, collecting thousands of likes and shares within hours. Fans of Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Tolkien’s universe have both expressed strong interest in the studio’s dual-project direction.

However, the studio has made it clear that more information will come later, suggesting both projects are still in early development stages.

Given the scale of both an open-world Middle-earth RPG and a new Kingdom Come title, players may need to wait several years before either game reaches release.

For now, Warhorse Studios has confirmed what many suspected: it is not slowing down, and it is aiming significantly bigger than before.

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