What Is the New Lord of the Rings RPG?

The gaming landscape is finally getting a fresh take on Tolkien’s universe with the new Lord of the Rings RPG from Warhorse Studios. Announced in May 2026, this untitled open-world title shares its reveal window with the studio’s next Kingdom Come project, though it deliberately avoids using the official franchise branding. Instead, it leans heavily into Middle-earth, the vast fictional world that houses both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit sagas. This distinction opens up exciting possibilities for developers to explore different Ages of history, untold locations, and original characters alongside familiar faces.

During a community broadcast following the reveal, Warhorse communications director Tobias Stolz-Zwilling described the project as aiming to be "deeply immersive." He highlighted that the studio has assembled a "mind-blowing team" dedicated to building a living world filled with memorable places and a strong narrative focus. Development is being spearheaded by Viktor Bocan, the design director behind Deliverance 2, who will bring his expertise in interactive storytelling to this massive undertaking.

Release Window and Fellowship Entertainment

While the game was just unveiled, the release timeline is already taking shape. Warhorse has indicated that its Kingdom Come sequel targets a launch during Embracer’s next fiscal year, spanning from April 2027 to March 2028. The new Lord of the Rings RPG will follow shortly after, meaning players should expect a multi-year development cycle before stepping into Middle-earth.

To properly manage this ambitious project and other upcoming titles, Embracer announced the creation of Fellowship Entertainment. This newly spun-off unit operates as an IP-led entertainment company focused heavily on The Lord of the Rings, Tomb Raider, and numerous other owned franchises. The corporate restructuring aims to provide a leaner organizational structure that can maximize creative and financial potential across these iconic brands.

Several major studios will fall under the Fellowship Entertainment umbrella:

  • Middle-earth Enterprises and its direct subsidiaries
  • 4A Games and Crystal Dynamics
  • Eidos-Montreal and Gunfire Games
  • Warhorse Studios itself

Recent Struggles vs. Past Successes

The gaming industry has seen mixed results with Tolkien adaptations in recent years. 2023’s The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was critically panned, ultimately causing its developer to cancel their next project and cease operations entirely. Similarly, Netflix-backed life-sim Tales of the Shire arrived in 2025 to lukewarm reviews after enduring multiple delays. These recent misfires stand in stark contrast to Monolith Productions’ acclaimed Shadow of Mordor (2014) and its sequel, which dominated awards season and proved that licensed open-world titles could still deliver top-tier experiences.

Embracer has publicly stated it is currently prototyping several new Lord of the Rings games, making Warhorse’s announcement a logical next step. Lee Guinchard, Embracer’s executive overseeing the franchise, previously expressed his desire to spark a renaissance for LOTR video games. Fans are hoping this renewed corporate focus will recapture the magic of early 2000s licensed hits, including Peter Jackson’s movie tie-ins and the Battle for Middle-earth strategy series.

Expanding Beyond the Screen

The upcoming Lord of the Rings RPG is just one piece of a larger multimedia expansion led by Embracer. Alongside the game, multiple new cinematic projects are already in active development. The first major release will be 2027’s The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis himself. This film reunites Elijah Wood as Frodo and Ian McKellen as Gandalf, while introducing Jamie Dornan as Aragorn and Kate Winslet in a new role.

Following this theatrical entry, the franchise will continue to grow with Shadow of the Past, which features an original screenplay penned by dedicated fan Stephen Colbert. As these projects enter production, the gaming and film industries are aligning to deliver a cohesive and expansive vision of Tolkien’s legacy for the next generation of fans.