Warhorse Studios Confirms Lord of the Rings Open-World RPG and New Kingdom Come Adventure

After weeks of speculation fueled by a rumor on May 1st, Warhorse Studios—the team behind the medieval sandbox Kingdom Come: Deliverance—has officially confirmed they are developing an open-world RPG set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. In the same announcement, the studio revealed that they are also working on a new Kingdom Come project, though details remain vague. Here, we break down what we know so far about these exciting upcoming titles.

What exactly is the Lord of the Rings RPG that Warhorse is making?

Warhorse Studios has confirmed that they are creating an open-world RPG set within the vast and beloved world of Middle-earth, as imagined by J.R.R. Tolkien. This means players can expect a sprawling, immersive experience that explores iconic locations and characters from the legendarium. While specifics are scarce, the open-world nature suggests that players will have the freedom to explore the land in a non-linear fashion, much like the studio's previous title Kingdom Come: Deliverance. The game is likely to feature a rich narrative, deep role-playing mechanics, and a faithful adaptation of Tolkien's lore. This project marks Warhorse's first foray into high fantasy, moving away from the historical realism of their earlier work.

Warhorse Studios Confirms Lord of the Rings Open-World RPG and New Kingdom Come Adventure — Source: www.rockpapershotgun.com

What is the new Kingdom Come game that was announced?

Alongside the Lord of the Rings RPG, Warhorse announced that they are also developing a new Kingdom Come game. However, the studio used a deliberately ambiguous phrase, calling it a 'Kingdom Come adventure'. This could refer to a third mainline entry in the historical RPG series, continuing the story of Henry of Skalitz, or it might be something completely different. The phrasing leaves room for interpretation: it could be a spin-off, a smaller-scale title, or even a genre experiment. Until Warhorse provides more concrete details, fans will have to speculate. Notably, the use of the word adventure rather than RPG hints that this project might differ from the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance in scope or style.

How did the rumors about Warhorse and Lord of the Rings start?

The rumors began circulating on May 1st, when journalist Edwin reported that Warhorse Studios was secretly working on a Lord of the Rings RPG. This speculation sent ripples through the gaming community, especially given the studio's reputation for detailed, historically grounded worlds. For weeks, fans were on tenterhooks, waiting for official confirmation. Now, Warhorse has put those doubts to rest by confirming the project. The origin of the rumor likely came from insider sources or industry leaks, but the studio has not disclosed the exact source. The confirmation came in a broader announcement that also revealed the new Kingdom Come project, effectively doubling the excitement for Warhorse's future.

Why did Warhorse use the term 'Kingdom Come adventure' instead of 'Kingdom Come 2'?

Warhorse deliberately chose the phrase 'Kingdom Come adventure' to describe their upcoming project, which creates intentional ambiguity. By avoiding a definitive title like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, the studio keeps their options open. This could mean a direct sequel, a prequel, a spin-off focusing on a different character, or even a game that explores the world of medieval Bohemia from a new perspective. The word adventure is broader than RPG, suggesting that the game might emphasize exploration, story, and character progression without necessarily being a massive open-world RPG. Some fans humorously speculated it could be a rhythm game where you tap along to horse hooves, but that is unlikely. The ambiguity allows Warhorse to surprise players and manage expectations.

What does this mean for the future of Warhorse Studios?

It signals a major expansion for Warhorse Studios. By developing two distinct open-world projects simultaneously—one rooted in historical fiction and another in epic fantasy—the studio is diversifying its portfolio and appealing to a broader audience. This is a bold move that could establish Warhorse as a major player in the RPG genre. However, it also raises questions about resources and development timelines. Fans may worry about delays or quality compromises, but Warhorse has proven their ability to deliver detailed, immersive worlds with Kingdom Come: Deliverance. The Lord of the Rings license is a huge opportunity, but also a challenge in meeting fan expectations. Meanwhile, the new Kingdom Come adventure will please loyal followers. Overall, this is an exciting and ambitious phase for the studio.

What do we know about the Lord of the Rings RPG's setting and gameplay?

At this point, Warhorse has only confirmed that the game is an open-world RPG set in Middle-earth. No specific time period or location within Tolkien's world has been announced—it could be during the events of The Lord of the Rings, the earlier Hobbit, or even the legendary First Age. Given Warhorse's track record with historical accuracy, fans might expect a detailed and lore-respecting interpretation. Gameplay will likely include quests, character customization, skill progression, and a narrative driven by player choices. The open-world aspect suggests a non-linear map with numerous regions to explore, similar to how Kingdom Come: Deliverance recreated 15th-century Bohemia. Combat might be first-person melee-focused, as in their previous game, but adapted for fantasy elements like magic or mythical creatures. More details are expected in future announcements.

Could the new Kingdom Come game be a spin-off or a different genre?

Yes, the use of 'adventure' leaves the door wide open for creative interpretations. It could be a spin-off that explores a side character or a different region of medieval Europe, rather than a direct sequel to Henry's story. Another possibility is a genre shift, such as a narrative-driven adventure game with less emphasis on combat mechanics. The phrase could even indicate a smaller, experimental project that Warhorse is using to test new ideas while the main team works on the Lord of the Rings RPG. However, given the popularity of the Kingdom Come franchise, it is more likely that this adventure will still appeal to fans of the original. Until Warhorse releases a trailer or more information, all possibilities remain on the table.

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