Warhorse Studios Confirms Open-World 'Lord of the Rings' RPG and New 'Kingdom Come' Adventure

Summary

• Embracer-owned developer Warhorse Studios has officially confirmed two major projects currently in development

• The studio is actively working on an “open world Middle-earth RPG” that will adapt their highly detailed, story-driven gameplay mechanics into J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary universe

• A “new Kingdom Come adventure” was also announced, hinting at either a spin-off or a potential third mainline installment in the medieval franchise

Get ready to trade the muddy, historical fields of medieval Bohemia for the epic landscapes of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s fantasy universe. Warhorse Studios, the acclaimed developer behind the Kingdom Come: Deliverance franchise, has officially confirmed that it is working on two massive upcoming titles: an open-world Middle-earth role-playing game and a brand-new Kingdom Come adventure. The announcement marks a monumental leap for the Embracer Group-owned studio, firmly positioning them as a heavyweight contender in the open-world RPG space.

Taking to social media, Warhorse confirmed the long-swirling rumors regarding their involvement with the Lord of the Rings IP. Described specifically as an “open world Middle-earth RPG,” the careful wording suggests that the game’s narrative might step outside the immediate, heavily trodden era of the War of the Ring. Given Warhorse’s pedigree for deeply immersive, grounded mechanics and complex, branching storytelling, fans can likely expect a project that blends the studio’s signature Kingdom Come gameplay template with the magic and rich lore of high fantasy.

While embarking on a journey to Middle-earth, the studio is not leaving its original flagship franchise behind. Warhorse also confirmed that a “new Kingdom Come adventure” is currently in active development. While the specific phrasing leaves the door open for a franchise spin-off, many assume the project will eventually manifest as Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3. The studio kept actual plot and gameplay details firmly under wraps, simply stating, “We’re excited to tell you more when the time is right.”

This ambitious development slate arrives against the backdrop of larger corporate shifts at Embracer Group. The parent company recently revealed plans to launch “Fellowship Entertainment,” a brand-new business unit designed to double down on its most lucrative properties and actively explore external partnerships for classic IPs. The game announcements also follow internal leadership changes at Warhorse; former Kingdom Come: Deliverance director Daniel Vávra stepped down from his role earlier this year to focus his efforts on producing a Kingdom Come: Deliverance feature film.

Coming off the massive critical and commercial success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II—which launched to rave reviews in early 2025—Warhorse Studios has proven they have the technical chops to deliver dense, living open worlds. While release windows, target platforms, and official titles for both the Middle-earth RPG and the new Kingdom Come game remain tightly guarded secrets, RPG enthusiasts have plenty of reason to be excited about the studio’s incredibly ambitious future.