New open-world RPG from Warhorse Studios in Middle-earth
Intelligence Summary
- Warhorse Studios is working on an open-world RPG in Middle-earth, with a release expected in 2027-2028. Discover the details.
New open-world RPG from Warhorse Studios in Middle-earth
Warhorse Studios, the developer known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, recently announced that it is working on a new open-world RPG set in Middle-earth. The announcement came in May 2026 and marks an exciting development within the franchise associated with J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic stories.
What do we know about the new RPG?
The announcement said this new RPG will offer a "deeply immersive" experience, with a strong focus on building a living world filled with interesting characters and memorable locations. While the words "The Lord of the Rings" were not used directly, the term Middle-earth often refers to the world where Tolkien’s stories take place, along with its well-known characters and legends.
Development and team
Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, Warhorse Studios’ communications director, emphasized that the company has assembled a "mind-blowing team" to develop this RPG. The team is led by Viktor Bocan, the design director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Although details about the game are scarce, Stolz-Zwilling said that every detail is being chosen carefully to create a deeper connection with players.
When can we expect the game?
Although the game has only just been announced, there are already expectations around its release window. Warhorse has said that its next Kingdom Come game, which is currently in development, is planned for release in Embracer Group’s fiscal year, running from April 2027 to March 2028. It is clear that the new Middle-earth RPG will not arrive before that period.
Timeline
May 26, 2026: Warhorse Studios announces the new open-world RPG.
May 27, 2026: Stolz-Zwilling confirms a "deeply immersive" world and a strong narrative focus.
April 2027 - March 2028: Expected release window for the next Kingdom Come game.
The future of the franchise
The announcement of this new RPG comes at a time when the Lord of the Rings franchise is seeing something of a resurgence. Alongside the game, there is also a new film titled The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, set for release in 2027. It is unlikely the game will launch alongside the film, but there could be opportunities for future synergy.
For many fans, the hope is that Warhorse Studios, with its open-world RPG expertise, can create something that explores the narrative and immersive elements of Tolkien’s universe in a fresh way. While previous games in the franchise have not always been well received, such as The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, the signs around this new project are positive and full of anticipation.
Conclusion
Warhorse’s upcoming open-world game in Middle-earth is an exciting addition to the gaming world, especially for fans of Tolkien’s works. With a focused team and a strong emphasis on immersion, this new adventure could bring us back to the magic of Middle-earth.
Sources
Tweet van @WarhorseStudiosTweet van @WarhorseStudiosThe next game in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance role-playing series is - as plans stand - going to be released surprisingly soon. Developer Warhorse Studios said its current target is the next financial year.
Tweet van @DDustinCTweet van @DDustinCThat's a relatively short period of focused development for a new Kingdom Come: Deliverance game - just over three years if we stretch the release window to maximum range. Considering there were seven years between KCD1 and KCD2, as Stolz-Zwilling said, that's a significant difference, and it's making some fans nervous to hear it.
Tweet van @loqzfv3xTweet van @loqzfv3xThat's a relatively short period of focused development for a new Kingdom Come: Deliverance game - just over three years if we stretch the release window to maximum range. Considering there were seven years between KCD1 and KCD2, as Stolz-Zwilling said, that's a significant difference, and it's making some fans nervous to hear it.