Warhorse Studios Confirms Development of a Lord of the Rings Open‑World RPG
3 min readA bold new chapter for Middle‑earth gaming from the creators of Kingdom Come: Deliverance
On May 20, 2026, Warhorse Studios officially confirmed it is developing an open‑world RPG set in Middle‑earth, joining a newly formed Embracer subsidiary to expand Tolkien’s universe in gaming. This announcement marks a pivotal moment for both the studio and fans of immersive fantasy RPGs.
The Big Reveal
On May 20, 2026, Warhorse Studios—best known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance—posted on its official X account: “You might have heard the rumours. It’s time to reveal what we are working on.” The studio confirmed two projects: an open‑world Middle‑earth RPG and a new Kingdom Come adventure, though release windows, platforms, and narrative details remain undisclosed . The announcement ended months of speculation dating back to late 2025 .
Context: Embracer’s Strategic Move
Warhorse's announcement coincides with Embracer Group’s reorganization of Middle‑earth projects under a new subsidiary, Fellowship Entertainment. This structural shift signals a coordinated effort to capitalize on Tolkien’s IP across multiple studios . The timing also follows reports that Amazon is exploring its own Middle‑earth game experiences, suggesting a competitive and revitalized landscape for Tolkien‑based games .