Warhorse Studios has confirmed it's developing an open-world Lord of the Rings RPG set in Middle-earth, validating rumors that circulated since May. The Czech studio, known for Kingdom Come Deliverance's immersive medieval sandbox design, will apply that expertise to Tolkien's fantasy world.
The announcement came alongside news that Warhorse is also creating a new Kingdom Come game, signaling the studio's expansion into multiple major projects simultaneously. Both titles leverage the studio's signature approach to immersive RPGs that prioritize player agency, detailed world-building, and historical or lore-accurate authenticity.
This represents a significant coup for Warhorse, landing one of gaming's most coveted licenses. Middle-earth rights have proven challenging for publishers. EA's licensing expired years ago, and Amazon's investment in Tolkien IP through The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has yet to translate into substantial gaming releases. A Warhorse-developed Lord of the Rings game could capitalize on both the studio's critical reputation and renewed appetite for deep, role-playing experiences.
Kingdom Come Deliverance established Warhorse's formula of period-authentic detail, complex quest design, and systems-driven gameplay. That philosophy could translate well to Middle-earth, where players expect immersion in Tolkien's lore. The studio has proven capable of handling sprawling open worlds without sacrificing narrative or mechanical depth.
The dual announcement also addresses questions about Warhorse's post-Deliverance direction. After the first game's success, speculation about what came next has intensified. Now the studio confirms it's operating on a larger scale, tackling both a franchise sequel and an entirely new licensed IP simultaneously.
Neither project has received a release window. Warhorse previously indicated the Lord of the Rings title is "huge" in