Warhorse Studios Confirms Open-World Middle-earth RPG and New Kingdom Come Project
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Warhorse Studios has confirmed it is developing an open-world Lord of the Rings RPG set in Middle-earth, alongside a new Kingdom Come project.
The rumors floating around since early May are officially confirmed. Warhorse Studios, the team behind the historical medieval sandbox Kingdom Come Deliverance, is officially developing an open-world RPG set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. Alongside the Tolkien project, the studio announced it is working on a new Kingdom Come adventure, though details on whether this constitutes a full numbered sequel or a different style of game remain under wraps for now. Backing for the Middle-earth project traces back to publisher Embracer and its subsidiary Middle-earth Enterprises, which controls the rights across Tolkien's expansive timeline.
For players, the phrasing of an open-world Middle-earth RPG opens up exciting possibilities outside the standard Fellowship narrative. Given the breadth of Tolkien's lore, the studio has plenty of room to carve out a distinct corner of the timeline, much like Monolith did with the Shadow of Mordor series. The announcement also arrives at an interesting time for high-profile Tolkien adaptations, following recent industry shifts like Amazon canceling its in-development Lord of the Rings MMO to rethink its approach to the franchise. Warhorse brings a distinct reputation for gritty, grounded worldbuilding to the table, though the studio's leadership and cultural footprint remain subjects of ongoing discussion within the broader gaming community.
At this early stage, concrete details on gameplay, platforms, or release windows are non-existent. Still, the prospect of a studio known for heavy historical simulation applying its design philosophy to high fantasy is a compelling one. As development continues, we will be watching closely to see how Warhorse balances its signature commitment to deep, systemic worlds with the legendary mythos of Middle-earth. You can read the original reporting over at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Tags: Warhorse Studios, Lord of the Rings, Kingdom Come, RPG, Open World
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun