'The Lord of the Rings’ first true open-world RPG being developed by Kingdom Come creators

Warhorse Studios announced development of 'The Lord of the Rings' open-world RPG, adapting Tolkien’s world in gaming

Warhorse Studios has announced development of a new The Lord of the Rings video game, marking what is being described as the franchise’s first true open-world role-playing game.

The Czech developer, known for the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series, revealed that it is working on the project alongside development of a third instalment in its own historical RPG franchise.

While details remain limited, the new game has been confirmed as an open-world RPG set within J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe.

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

The announcement has drawn attention within the gaming industry due to Warhorse Studios’ reputation for immersive, systems-driven storytelling. The studio’s previous work on Kingdom Come: Deliverance has been widely recognised for its realism-focused gameplay and expansive open-world design.

No further narrative details have been confirmed for the Lord of the Rings project, including its setting within Tolkien’s timeline.

It is currently unclear whether the game will take place during the events of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, or within another period of the broader lore established by Tolkien and expanded by later adaptations.

The franchise has previously been adapted into multiple formats, including animated films, Peter Jackson’s live-action trilogy, and various video game projects.

Recent gaming entries include Tales of the Shire, a life simulation title set in the Shire, while earlier successes such as Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War introduced action-focused gameplay and the Nemesis System.

Warhorse Studios’ involvement has led to buzz among fans about how the developer may translate Tolkien’s world into a fully interactive RPG structure.

The studio has not yet announced a release window or additional platforms for the project. Further updates are expected at a later stage as development continues.