Lord of the Rings RPG: Warhorse Studios Confirms Development

Is Warhorse Studios Really Making a Lord of the Rings RPG?

Yes — and it is official. Warhorse Studios, the Czech developer behind the critically acclaimed Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, has confirmed via its official social media channels that it is actively developing an open-world RPG set in Middle-earth. The studio announced both the Lord of the Rings project and a new Kingdom Come adventure simultaneously, sending the gaming world into a frenzy.

According to Gematsu, Warhorse's announcement was intentionally brief: "We're excited to tell you more when the time is right." No gameplay details, platforms, or release window were provided. As reported by Eurogamer, the news confirms rumours that had been circulating for months about the studio's next major project following the success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

The studio's track record makes this announcement particularly exciting. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 earned an aggregated critic score of 93, cementing Warhorse's reputation for deeply immersive, historically grounded open-world RPGs. A move into Tolkien's Middle-earth — one of the most beloved fantasy universes in fiction — represents an enormous creative leap.

Why Is Warhorse Studios the Right Studio for a Middle-earth RPG?

Warhorse Studios has built its entire identity around meticulous world-building and immersive open-world design. As Rock Paper Shotgun noted, the rumours pointed to the studio as a natural fit for a Middle-earth project — their experience crafting authentic medieval environments in 15th-century Bohemia provides a unique foundation for tackling Tolkien's richly detailed world.

Previous Middle-earth games — including Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War from Monolith Productions — were well-received action games, but fans have long yearned for a slower, more narrative-focused RPG experience set in Tolkien's world. Warhorse's signature style, which emphasises story, consequence, and open exploration over arcade action, could deliver exactly that.

Kotaku also highlighted that the studio is developing this Middle-earth RPG alongside a brand-new Kingdom Come adventure — suggesting Warhorse has expanded significantly in size and scope since delivering Deliverance 2. Running two major open-world RPG projects simultaneously is an ambitious undertaking, but one that speaks to the studio's growing confidence and resources.

When Will We Learn More About the Middle-earth RPG?

No release date, platforms, or reveal window have been confirmed. GameSpot reports that the announcement was purely a confirmation of existence, with Warhorse promising further details "when the time is right." Given that the studio is juggling two major projects, a formal reveal with gameplay footage is unlikely in the immediate future.

Industry observers speculate that a full reveal could come at a major gaming showcase — potentially The Game Awards or a dedicated Warhorse event — once either project reaches a stage suitable for public presentation. For now, the confirmation alone is enough to keep fans buzzing with anticipation.