Warhorse Studios, the Czech studio behind last year’s critically acclaimed Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is reportedly developing a major Lord of the Rings adaptation. As claimed by Ryszard Chojnowski, a ex project lead on The Witcher, the studio is creating a third-person, open-world action game set in Middle-earth. The project is reportedly supported by a substantial $100 million investment from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, indicating an expansive AAA venture. Though unverified, the news comes as Warhorse Studios basks in the success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which shipped more than five million copies and became one of 2025’s best titles.
Spanning Medieval Realms to Middle-earth
Warhorse Studios has positioned itself as a virtuoso of immersive, historically accurate narrative design through Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The studio’s careful attention to world-building, intricate character development, and commitment to player agency have received extensive critical praise. These hallmarks of their design philosophy could transfer exceptionally well to Tolkien’s richly detailed universe. The move from medieval Bohemia to the fantastical realms of Middle-earth constitutes a logical progression for a studio that has demonstrated its capacity to craft expansive, narratively compelling open worlds.
The scope and ambition required for a Lord of the Rings game sits well with Warhorse’s proven expertise. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 showcased the studio’s talent for merging period authenticity with immersive mechanical design, delivering an experience that felt both grounded yet epic. With a noted $100 million funding supporting the project, Warhorse would command the financial capacity to bring to life Tolkien’s vast environments and layered narrative. Such a union could conceivably produce a Lord of the Rings experience that matches the franchise’s literary grandeur.
- Immersive open-world framework proven via Kingdom Come achievement
- Robust narrative craftsmanship and character progression mastery
- Proven track record building vast fantasy medieval settings
- Significant funding support facilitates expansive vision
The Reported Project Details
Significant Capital Outlay and Extent
Reports initially emerged in 2025 indicating that a new Lord of the Rings game was in active development, supported by a substantial $100 million investment from the Abu Dhabi-based investment fund. This considerable financial backing demonstrates the project’s significance within the video game sector, positioning it as a major AAA title rather than a modest independent venture. The level of investment suggests development teams have received considerable resources to bring to life an expansive vision of Middle-earth, potentially enabling vast environments, advanced technology, and extensive narrative content that suits the legendary world of Tolkien.
The project has been described as a third-person, open-world action game, a format that has grown steadily in popularity in the market. This creative approach works exceptionally well with Warhorse Studios’ proven track record in crafting immersive, player-driven experiences. The pairing of a substantial budget, proven developer credentials, and a established gameplay model suggests the Lord of the Rings adaptation could constitute a considerable landmark for the franchise, offering fans a AAA adventure on a scale not seen since 2017’s Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
Ryszard Chojnowski, a previous lead developer on The Witcher series, provided the first concrete evidence of Warhorse Studios’ participation throughout an appearance on the Tolkien Polska podcast. Whilst initially doubtful of the claim himself, Chojnowski recognised that accumulating reports and rumours gave credibility to the assertion. However, it remains essential to stress that this data stays unconfirmed conjecture, and studio plans frequently evolve during the development process.
- $$100m investment by Abu Dhabi Investment Office supporting the project
- Third-person, expansive open-world action title format confirmed in earlier reports
- Project built within the Embracer Group business parent company structure
Why Warhorse Studios Is a Logical Choice
Warhorse Studios has showcased exceptional capability in creating vast, absorbing settings that centre on player agency and period authenticity. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s critical and commercial success—exceeding five million copies sold—establishes the studio’s ability to deliver expansive open-world endeavours with meticulous attention to detail. The game’s absorbing mechanics and strong narrative have established Warhorse as a studio equipped to manage large-scale narratives and sophisticated gameplay design. These qualifications position the Czech studio as an strong contender for bringing Tolkien’s intricate mythology into an interactive medium that respects the source material’s depth and complexity.
The thematic parallels between Kingdom Come’s medieval European setting and Middle-earth’s fantasy landscape suggest a natural artistic fit. Both universes demand richly intricate worlds, era-fitting visual style, and historically grounded worldbuilding—areas where Warhorse has proven particularly strong. The studio’s proven expertise in combining storytelling depth with technical proficiency makes them particularly equipped to deliver the scope and calibre expected from a $100 million Lord of the Rings project. Furthermore, Warhorse’s track record of development for the Embracer Group ecosystem creates existing infrastructure and industry connections that could streamline development and distribution.
| Studio Strength | Relevance to LOTR Project |
|---|---|
| Immersive open-world design | Essential for realising Middle-earth’s expansive geography and interconnected regions |
| Historical authenticity and detail | Aligns with Tolkien’s meticulous world-building and cultural consistency |
| Complex narrative integration | Crucial for weaving player agency with established Lord of the Rings lore |
| AAA-scale project management | Proven ability to deliver blockbuster titles within demanding development cycles |
Immersive Narrative Environment Portfolio
Kingdom Come: Deliverance reshaped player expectations regarding immersion through its commitment to interconnected systems and environmental storytelling. The game’s medieval Bohemian setting was carefully studied and authentically reconstructed, creating a world where each element—from architecture to dialogue—reinforced authenticity. This method of constructing worlds reflects the meticulous care Tolkien devoted to the languages, histories, and cultures of Middle-earth. Warhorse’s demonstrated capability to reconcile historical fidelity with compelling interactive experiences indicates they have the necessary sensibilities to honour Tolkien’s established universe whilst creating meaningful interactive experiences.
The studio’s track record of crafting expansive interconnected worlds filled with complex non-player characters and story-driven moments directly applies to Lord of the Rings development requirements. Middle-earth’s diverse regions—from the Shire’s pastoral charm to Mordor’s hostile terrain—require the degree of landscape diversity and immersive narrative design Warhorse has already mastered. Their commitment to player-driven narratives, where player decisions influence the world, aligns perfectly with current player expectations for fantasy RPGs. This groundwork positions Warhorse to deliver a Lord of the Rings game that feels both faithful to source material and creatively engaging.
What Remains Uncertain
Whilst the accounts surrounding Warhorse Studios’ involvement in a Lord of the Rings project possess significant credibility, official confirmation remains notably lacking. Ryszard Chojnowski’s claims on the Tolkien Polska podcast, though compelling, represent industry hearsay rather than verified fact. The Czech developer and Warner Bros. Interactive have remained completely quiet on the matter, neither confirming nor denying the project’s existence. Given the high-profile nature of such an venture—particularly one allegedly backed by a $100 million investment from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office—the lack of official announcement is noteworthy. Sector initiatives commonly evolve, partnerships end, and projects undergo significant restructuring before official disclosure.
The development window for any possible Lord of the Rings release stays comparably vague. Should Warhorse genuinely be working on the title, the studio would be balancing various obligations and building novel workflows for an wholly distinct intellectual property. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s critical acclaim has likely generated demands for post-launch support, supplementary material, and audience involvement. Additionally, obtaining the essential authorisations from Tolkien Estate representatives and Middle-earth Enterprises requires intricate discussions that could prolong creation periods substantially. Without specific information about current stage, staff levels, or anticipated finish times, conjecture regarding when players might actually experience this journey through Middle-earth remains entirely speculative.
- Formal verification from Warhorse Studios or Warner Bros. remains completely absent
- Development timeline and anticipated launch date have not been confirmed
- Scope of the project—size, narrative focus, gameplay features—largely undefined
- Possible setbacks or terminations may happen during lengthy development period
The Wider LOTR Gaming Sector
The Lord of the Rings franchise has experienced a fairly inconsistent presence in gaming over the last ten years. Following the critical and financial success of Middle-earth: Shadow of War in 2017, the licence has continued to remain dormant in the major gaming sector. Licensing disputes and the end of prior agreements have created significant gaps in the market, leaving devoted fans with restricted official gaming options. The property’s enormous cultural cachet and the dedicated fanbase surrounding Tolkien’s works indicate considerable untapped potential. A substantial new title from a developer of Warhorse’s standing could reignite interest and build a fresh franchise within the gaming industry.
Should Warhorse Studios complete a Lord of the Rings game, it would constitute a significant milestone for both the studio and the gaming rights. The developer’s established track record in developing immersive, character-centred worlds through Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 equips them effectively to capture the essence of Middle-earth’s rich narrative legacy. A third-person open-world action game could conceivably provide players unparalleled liberty in discovering Tolkien’s creation, creating meaningful interactions with memorable places and personalities. The $100 million funding commitment suggests goals comparable to those of other high-budget flagship games, possibly competing with latest large-scale fantasy games in scale and visual quality.
