Warhorse Studios has officially pulled back the curtain on its upcoming projects, confirming that both an open-world Lord of the Rings RPG and a new installment in the Kingdom Come franchise are currently in development.

The announcement, shared via social media, puts an end to long-standing rumors regarding the studio's involvement with Tolkien’s legendary IP. While the developer specifically described the project as an "open world Middle-earth RPG," it remains unclear if the setting will align with the specific era of The Lord of the Rings or explore a different period within the legendarium.

A New Era for Middle-earth and Kingdom Come

Given Warhorse Studios' track record, fans are already speculating on the gameplay mechanics. The studio is best known for its commitment to immersive, story-driven experiences, most notably seen in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series.

While the Kingdom Come titles are defined by their rigorous historical accuracy in medieval Bohemia, this new open-world Lord of the Rings RPG will likely blend that grounded realism with high-fantasy elements. This could result in a unique hybrid experience—essentially the mechanical depth of Kingdom Come paired with the magic and scale of Middle-earth.

In addition to the Tolkien project, Warhorse confirmed that a "new Kingdom Come adventure" is also being worked on. While the studio has not explicitly named it Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3, the announcement suggests the franchise is far from over. Key details include:

  • Project Status: Both titles are officially in development.
  • Middle-earth Setting: Described as an open-world RPG.
  • Kingdom Come Future: A new adventure is confirmed, though its specific format remains a mystery.
  • Developer Update: Warhorse noted they will share more information "when the time is right."

Embracer Group’s Strategic Shift

This wave of news arrives alongside major structural changes at Embracer Group. The parent company has announced plans to spin off Fellowship Entertainment, a new business unit dedicated to maximizing the potential of its largest franchises.

As part of this strategy, Embracer intends to explore external partnerships for several of its most iconic IPs, including:

  • Saints Row
  • Legacy of Kain
  • Deus Ex
  • Thief
  • TimeSplitters

The momentum for Warhorse Studios follows the massive success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which launched to significant critical and commercial acclaim. Despite recent discussions surrounding the studio's use of generative AI, the foundation laid by their previous titles positions them perfectly to tackle a massive open-world Lord of the Rings RPG.