It’s true: the Kingdom Come Deliverance studio is making a Lord of the Rings RPG
Warhorse Studios, the acclaimed developer behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, has officially confirmed that it is developing an open-world RPG set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, ending months of speculation. The announcement, made via the studio’s social media accounts on May 20, 2026, marks a significant expansion of the studio’s portfolio beyond its core Kingdom Come franchise.
The studio simultaneously revealed that a new Kingdom Come adventure is in active development, though the announcement’s wording suggests it may differ from the Deliverance series structure. While full details remain scarce, financial disclosures from parent company Embracer Group suggest the Kingdom Come project could potentially release in mid-2027.
The Lord of the Rings project represents an ambitious step for Warhorse, which has built its reputation on crafting immersive, story-driven open-world RPGs grounded in historical settings. The studio’s expertise with medieval environments and character-driven narratives positions it well for adapting Tolkien’s fantasy world, though questions remain about how the developer will approach the broader, more fantastical scope of Middle-earth compared to Kingdom Come’s historical Bohemia setting.
Embracer Group, Warhorse’s parent company, owns the comprehensive rights to create games, films, and other media based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit properties following its acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises. The studio’s statement that more details will be shared “when the time is right” indicates both projects remain in early development phases. The announcement has generated significant excitement among gaming audiences, particularly following Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s critical and commercial success in 2025.
Sources
- It’s true: the Kingdom Come Deliverance studio is making a Lord of the Rings RPG
- An Open-World Middle-Earth RPG From Kingdom Come Studio Is Officially Happening
- Open-World Lord of Rings RPG and New Kingdom Come Game Confirmed in Development at Warhorse Studios
- New Kingdom Come & LOTR Middle-Earth Games Announced By Warhorse Studios
- New Kingdom Come Game Could Launch As Soon As 2027
- The rumours were true: Kingdom Come studio is working on an RPG set in Tolkien’s Middle-earth
- New Lord of the Rings open-world RPG officially confirmed by Kingdom Come studio
- New Lord Of The Rings Game In Development By Kingdom Come: Deliverance Devs
- Lord of the Rings RPG from Kingdom Come: Deliverance Dev Confirmed
- The rumours were true, Warhorse are making an open-world Lord of the Rings RPG alongside a new Kingdom Come game
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance studio confirms development of a Lord of the Rings RPG
- Oh boy, it’s real: the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 dev is making a new The Lord of the Rings RPG in Middle-earth — and a third KCD game is coming next year, too