Full Breakdown
Warhorse Studios Confirms Open-World Middle-Earth RPG and New Kingdom Come Adventure
5/22/2026, 2:48:55 AM
Warhorse Studios Announces Two New Projects
Warhorse Studios, the Czech developer behind the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series, posted on X on 20 May 2026 confirming that it is developing an open-world role-playing game set in Middle-earth and a new “Kingdom Come adventure.” No platforms, release windows, or narrative details were provided.
Corporate Context and Recent Successes
Warhorse operates under Embracer Group, which acquired the Middle-earth license in 2022 and recently reorganised its flagship properties into a new subsidiary, Fellowship Entertainment. The studio’s latest title, *Kingdom Come: Deliverance II*, released in February 2025, sold over five million copies in its first year, won a BAFTA for best narrative, and received a 95 % recommendation rating on OpenCritic.
Timeline and Milestones
- 20 May 2026 – Warhorse’s dual-project announcement.
- Feb 2025 – *Kingdom Come: Deliverance II* launch and subsequent BAFTA award.
- 2024 – *Kingdom Come: Deliverance* ported to Nintendo Switch (via Saber Interactive).
- Q4 2026 – Embracer’s financial report detailing Fellowship Entertainment’s formation and its portfolio of studios and IPs.
Official Statements
Embracer CEO Phil Rogers said the forthcoming title will be set in the fictional world of Middle-earth. Communications director Tobias Stolz-Zwilling described the undertaking as “mind-blowing” given the scale of the Tolkien IP. Warhorse’s own messaging emphasized that it will share further information “when the time is right.”
Criticism Over AI Use
The studio has faced criticism for employing generative-AI tools in localization, prompting concerns from parts of the gaming community. Warhorse responded by stating it does not view AI as a replacement for human workers and is expanding its translation team.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
Public sources differ on several points: a Vice report cites a rumored $100 million development budget, but the studio has not confirmed any figure. The specific age of Middle-earth to be depicted remains unspecified. The “new Kingdom Come adventure” may be a sequel, spin-off, or separate project, as no official title has been announced. Platform and launch-date details are absent.
Verbatim Quotes
> “Just thinking about one of the biggest and most beloved IPs in the world being developed here in Prague is honestly mind-blowing,” — Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, Communications Director, Warhorse Studios
> “The game will be set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, CEO Phil Rogers said in a post-earnings call.” — Phil Rogers, CEO, Embracer Group
> “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,” — Warhorse Studios (official X post)
> “We’re excited to tell you more when the time is right.” — Warhorse Studios
> “We do not see AI as a substitute for human work, and we are currently looking to expand the company, including our translation team.” — Warhorse Studios
Significance for the Tolkien Franchise
If realized as an open-world RPG, the project would be the first major title to combine Tolkien’s Middle-earth with Warhorse’s historically grounded design philosophy, potentially setting a new benchmark for fantasy RPGs and expanding Embracer’s exploitation of the lucrative Lord of the Rings license.
Upcoming Developments
Warhorse has indicated that additional details will be released “when the time is right.” Embracer plans to spin off Fellowship Entertainment as a publicly listed entity in 2027, suggesting further announcements on the Middle-earth and Kingdom Come projects may follow.
