Warhorse Studios ended the rumors yesterday, May 20. The developer announced two massive projects via an official post on X. Fans can expect an open-world Middle-earth RPG and a new Kingdom Come adventure. This sudden reveal completely shakes up the gaming industry.
You might have heard the rumours, it's time to reveal what we are working on.
🗺️ An open world Middle-earth RPG.
⚔️ A new Kingdom Come adventure.We’re excited to tell you more when the time is right.#WarhorseStudios #Annoucement #lotr #KingdomComeDeliverance pic.twitter.com/Pcgf9SqW52
— Warhorse Studios (@WarhorseStudios) May 20, 2026
Warhorse Teases A True Middle-Earth RPG Experience
Tolkien fans finally get their ultimate wish. Previously, gamers played action-adventure titles like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War. They also explored the MMO Lord of the Rings: Online. However, a dedicated open-world RPG remained absent. Now, Warhorse Studios steps up to fill this massive market gap.
Interestingly, the developer completely avoids the “Lord of the Rings” title in their announcement. They specifically call the project an “open world Middle-earth RPG”. Therefore, this wording strongly implies an original narrative set within Tolkien’s universe. Players likely will not just replay the classic events of the books or movies.
The Return to Kingdom Come
Warhorse also confirmed a new Kingdom Come project. The studio kept the exact details deliberately vague. We do not currently know if this represents Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3 or a separate spin-off.
Martin Klíma and Daniel Vávra founded the studio in 2011. They built a massive reputation with this historical franchise. In 2018, the first game delivered a grounded, magic-free open world. However, technical flaws and immensely punishing realism divided critics and players. Fortunately, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 launched in 2025 to immense praise. The sequel dramatically improved upon the original experience. Furthermore, both major titles received massive story expansions.
Realistic Mechanics Meet Heavy Fantasy
This dual announcement raises an important question. Warhorse built its entire legacy on ultra-realistic, historically accurate gameplay. Meanwhile, Middle-earth features heavy fantasy, magic, and monsters.
Will the developer port its notoriously complex mechanics into this new fantasy setting? If they do, they risk alienating casual Lord of the Rings fans. These casual players often prefer an accessible fantasy romp over deep survival systems. Regardless, this mechanical clash guarantees that the gaming world will watch Warhorse’s next moves very closely.
