Warhorse Studios has officially confirmed that it is working on two significant new game projects: an open-world RPG set in the world of Middle-earth, and a new installment in the Kingdom Come series.
The developer shared this exciting news via a post on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, putting an end to persistent rumors. The announcement details an “open world Middle-earth RPG,” which suggests the game might explore eras beyond the Third Age, the setting of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Given Warhorse Studios’ established approach with Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which focused on a relatively ordinary protagonist, it’s plausible that the Middle-earth RPG could feature a character of humble origins rather than an already powerful figure. Kingdom Come: Deliverance famously placed players in the shoes of Henry, a blacksmith’s son who starts with no combat skills or literacy, emphasizing a grounded and immersive experience.
The studio’s expertise in detailed historical settings and emergent gameplay could translate exceptionally well to the rich lore of Middle-earth. A Middle-earth game focusing on a specific historical period, perhaps even the rise of Sauron during the Second Age, similar to Prime Video’s The Rings of Power series, presents a vast landscape for exploration and storytelling that fans are eager to see.
In addition to the Middle-earth project, Warhorse Studios also revealed a new Kingdom Come game. While the title isn’t explicitly referred to as Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3, the studio has stated that more information will be shared “when the time is right.” This confirmation ends a long wait for fans, especially since the release of Middle-earth: Shadow of War nearly a decade ago, and promises another expansive open-world experience.
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Warhorse Studios has officially revealed its current development slate, which includes a new open-world Lord of the Rings RPG and a new Kingdom Come game.
The studio broke the news with a single post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming both projects. The developer validated rumors that have circulated for over half a year regarding its involvement in a Lord of the Rings RPG and another Kingdom Come title. Notably, the post described the game as an “open world Middle-earth RPG,” rather than specifically Lord of the Rings. This implies that while the game is set in Middle-earth, it could potentially take place during a different era than the Third Age, which is the setting for The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
It is also highly possible that instead of allowing players to control a supremely powerful character, such as the wraith Talion in Shadow of Mordor or Legolas in other titles, Warhorse Studios might adhere to its Kingdom Come: Deliverance philosophy and place players in the role of a relatively insignificant individual within the grand narrative.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance immerses players in the narrative as Henry, the son of a blacksmith, who begins the game unable to read and with no combat proficiency. Warhorse’s claim to fame with Deliverance lies in its meticulous attention to the historical period of its setting and the emergent scenarios that arise from interactions with townspeople and exploration.
A Middle-earth title focused on a specific historical period could leverage the immense amount of lore available within Middle-earth. It might even be set during the rise of Sauron (similar to Prime Video’s Rings of Power) in the Second Age. There is a vast expanse of Middle-earth’s history for Warhorse Studios to explore, much to the excitement of fans.
Warhorse Studios also announced a new title in the Kingdom Come series but stopped short of calling it Kingdom Come: Deliverance 3. While speculation is welcome, Warhorse Studios explicitly stated in the announcement, “We’re excited to tell you more when the time is right,” leaving fans with no further details beyond the confirmation that new games are indeed in development. It has been nearly a decade since Middle-earth: Shadow of War was released, and fans can finally find solace in the knowledge that another open-world Middle-earth game is on its way.