Warhorse Studios, the Bohemian development team behind last year’s highly praised Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is allegedly developing a significant Lord of the Rings interpretation. As claimed by Ryszard Chojnowski, a former lead developer on The Witcher, the studio is developing a third-person action game set in an open world taking place in Middle-earth. The project is reportedly supported by a substantial $100 million funding provided by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, indicating an ambitious AAA undertaking. Whilst unconfirmed, the news comes as Warhorse Studios basks in the success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which shipped more than five million copies and established itself as one of 2025’s finest titles.
Spanning Medieval Realms to Tolkien’s Middle-earth
Warhorse Studios has made a name as a master of deeply immersive, period-authentic storytelling through Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The studio’s meticulous approach to world-building, complex character creation, and commitment to player agency have garnered broad industry recognition. These cornerstones of their design philosophy could transfer exceptionally well to Tolkien’s densely layered universe. The move from medieval Bohemia to the magical worlds of Middle-earth constitutes a logical progression for a studio that has shown its expertise to craft large-scale, narrative-rich open worlds.
The scale and vision needed for a Lord of the Rings game aligns perfectly with Warhorse’s proven expertise. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 highlighted the studio’s skill in combining historical accuracy and engaging gameplay mechanics, producing an experience that was simultaneously grounded yet epic. With a reported $100 million investment backing the project, Warhorse would command the financial capacity to bring to life Tolkien’s sprawling landscapes and complex lore. Such a collaboration could conceivably provide a Lord of the Rings experience that honours the series’ literary magnificence.
- Immersive open-world design validated via Kingdom Come achievement
- Robust story-driven narratives and character development mastery
- Experience crafting vast medieval fantasy environments
- Significant funding support allows ambitious scope
The Reported Project Details
Considerable Financial Commitment and Scale
Reports initially emerged in 2025 suggesting that a Lord of the Rings title was in ongoing development, backed by a remarkable $100 million investment from the Abu Dhabi-based investment fund. This considerable financial backing highlights the importance of the project within the gaming industry, establishing it as a major AAA title rather than a modest independent venture. The scale of funding indicates development teams have received considerable resources to bring to life an ambitious vision of Middle-earth, potentially allowing for expansive environments, advanced technology, and substantial story content that suits Tolkien’s legendary universe.
The project has been positioned as a third-person, open-world action game, a format that has become increasingly favoured within the industry. This creative approach corresponds strongly with Warhorse Studios’ established capabilities in developing engaging, player-centric worlds. The convergence of a considerable funding, established developer pedigree, and a established gameplay model points to the Lord of the Rings adaptation could constitute a significant milestone for the franchise, providing players with a major blockbuster experience on a scale not seen since 2017’s Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
Ryszard Chojnowski, a former lead developer on The Witcher series, offered the first concrete evidence of Warhorse Studios’ participation during an interview on the Tolkien Polska podcast. Whilst at first doubtful of the claim himself, Chojnowski acknowledged that mounting reports and rumours gave credibility to the claim. However, it continues to be crucial to stress that this data stays unconfirmed conjecture, and studio strategies often evolve during the development process.
- $$100m investment from Abu Dhabi Investment Office backing the project
- Third-person, open-world action game format confirmed in earlier reports
- Project built within the Embracer Group corporate parent company structure
Why Warhorse Studios Is a Logical Choice
Warhorse Studios has proven exceptional capability in developing vast, absorbing settings that centre on player choice and historical accuracy. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s critical reception and sales success—reaching five million copies sold—establishes the studio’s competence to execute large-scale open-world experiences with meticulous attention to detail. The game’s immersive mechanics and compelling storytelling have positioned Warhorse as a developer able to execute large-scale narratives and complex gameplay systems. These qualifications mark the Czech studio as an strong contender for adapting Tolkien’s complex mythological universe into an playable format that respects the source material’s richness and intricacy.
The thematic similarities between Kingdom Come’s medieval European setting and Middle-earth’s fantasy landscape point to a natural creative alignment. Both universes demand richly elaborate settings, period-appropriate aesthetics, and authentic world creation—areas where Warhorse has consistently excelled. The studio’s proven expertise in balancing narrative ambition with technical proficiency makes them ideally positioned to deliver the scope and calibre expected from a $100 million Lord of the Rings project. Furthermore, Warhorse’s background working for the Embracer Group ecosystem creates current framework and publishing relationships that could facilitate efficient release strategies.
| 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 |
Engaging World Creation Portfolio
Kingdom Come: Deliverance redefined player expectations concerning immersion through its commitment to interconnected systems and environmental storytelling. The game’s medieval Bohemian setting was thoroughly investigated and authentically reconstructed, creating a world where every detail—from architecture to dialogue—reinforced authenticity. This approach to world-building reflects the obsessive attention Tolkien devoted to the languages, histories, and cultures of Middle-earth. Warhorse’s established track record to balance historical fidelity with engaging gameplay indicates they possess the appropriate sensibilities to honour Tolkien’s established universe whilst creating meaningful interactive experiences.
The studio’s experience in crafting expansive interconnected worlds filled with dynamic NPCs and narrative possibilities directly translates to Lord of the Rings project needs. Middle-earth’s diverse regions—from the Shire’s bucolic character to Mordor’s barren wastelands—call for the degree of environmental variety and evocative world-building Warhorse has already perfected. Their dedication to choice-based storytelling, where personal actions ripple through the world, aligns perfectly with current player expectations for fantasy RPGs. This base allows Warhorse to deliver a Lord of the Rings experience that feels both true to the source and innovatively interactive.
What Remains Uncertain
Whilst the discussions surrounding Warhorse Studios’ participation in a Lord of the Rings project hold substantial merit, public acknowledgement remains notably lacking. Ryszard Chojnowski’s claims on the Tolkien Polska podcast, though compelling, represent professional rumour rather than verified fact. The Czech developer and Warner Bros. Interactive have remained wholly unresponsive on the matter, neither confirming nor denying the project’s existence. Given the prominent standing 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. Professional projects often change, partnerships dissolve, and projects undergo significant restructuring before public revelation.
The development window for any potential Lord of the Rings release remains similarly unclear. Should Warhorse genuinely be working on the title, the studio would be managing multiple commitments and establishing novel workflows for an completely separate intellectual property. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s strong performance has presumably sparked calls for continued development, supplementary material, and community engagement. Additionally, acquiring the necessary creative and legal clearances from Tolkien Estate representatives and Middle-earth Enterprises requires complex negotiations that could prolong development schedules substantially. Without concrete details regarding production status, staff levels, or anticipated finish times, theories on when players might actually experience this Middle-earth experience stays entirely speculative.
- Formal verification from Warhorse Studios or Warner Bros. has not been provided
- Project timeline and anticipated launch date remain entirely unconfirmed
- Project scope—scale, narrative focus, game mechanics—largely undefined
- Potential delays or abandonments may happen during extended development cycle
The Wider LOTR Gaming World
The Lord of the Rings franchise has experienced a fairly inconsistent presence in gaming over the last ten years. Following the commercial and critical success of Middle-earth: Shadow of War in 2017, the licence has remained largely dormant in the AAA gaming space. Licence issues and the end of prior agreements have created significant gaps in the market, leaving devoted fans with restricted official gaming options. The property’s considerable cultural prestige and the committed fanbase surrounding Tolkien’s works indicate substantial untapped opportunities. A significant new release from a developer of Warhorse’s standing could rekindle enthusiasm and create a fresh franchise within the gaming industry.
Should Warhorse Studios complete a Lord of the Rings game, it would mark a significant milestone for both the studio and the gaming rights. The developer’s demonstrated capability 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 remarkable scope in exploring Tolkien’s world, creating meaningful interactions with legendary settings and figures. The $100 million financial backing suggests ambitions matching those of other major blockbuster titles, conceivably matching contemporary fantasy blockbusters in ambition and technical achievement.
