Warhorse Studios, the Bohemian studio behind last year’s critically acclaimed Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is allegedly working on a major Lord of the Rings interpretation. As claimed by Ryszard Chojnowski, a former lead developer on The Witcher, the studio is creating a third-person, open-world action game taking place in Middle-earth. The project is said to be supported by a substantial $100 million funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, suggesting an expansive AAA venture. Though unverified, the announcement comes as Warhorse Studios enjoys the success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which sold over five million copies and established itself as one of 2025’s best releases.
From Medieval Kingdoms to Tolkien’s Middle-earth
Warhorse Studios has established itself as a expert in deeply immersive, period-authentic narrative design through Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The studio’s meticulous approach to world-building, intricate character development, and focus on player agency have earned broad industry recognition. These cornerstones of their design ethos could adapt particularly effectively to Tolkien’s elaborately crafted universe. The transition from medieval Bohemia to the imagined landscapes of Middle-earth represents a natural evolution for a studio that has shown its expertise to craft expansive, narratively compelling open worlds.
The scope and ambition required for a Lord of the Rings game sits well with Warhorse’s established track record. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 showcased the studio’s ability to blending historical authenticity with engaging gameplay mechanics, delivering an experience that felt both grounded yet epic. With a noted $100 million funding supporting the project, Warhorse would possess the means to realise Tolkien’s expansive worlds and intricate mythology. Such a partnership could arguably deliver a Lord of the Rings experience that honours the property’s narrative legacy.
- Engaging open-world design proven via Kingdom Come success
- Robust narrative craftsmanship and character development expertise
- Experience creating vast fantasy medieval worlds
- Substantial monetary investment enables ambitious scope
The Claimed Project Details
Significant Capital Investment and Scope
Reports first appeared in 2025 suggesting that a new Lord of the Rings game was in ongoing development, backed by a remarkable $100 million financial commitment from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. This significant funding 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 indicates developers have been granted considerable resources to realise an expansive vision of Middle-earth, potentially enabling expansive environments, cutting-edge technology, and extensive narrative content that befits the legendary world of Tolkien.
The project has been characterized as a third-person, open-world action game, a format that has proven increasingly popular across the gaming sector. This creative approach works exceptionally well with Warhorse Studios’ demonstrated expertise in creating immersive, player-focused gameplay. The combination of a substantial budget, proven developer credentials, and a proven gameplay formula suggests the Lord of the Rings adaptation could constitute a significant milestone for the franchise, providing players with a major blockbuster experience on a scope unreached since 2017’s Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
Ryszard Chojnowski, a previous project lead on The Witcher series, offered the first concrete evidence of Warhorse Studios’ participation during an appearance on the Tolkien Polska podcast. Whilst at first doubtful of the claim himself, Chojnowski recognised that accumulating reports and rumours gave credibility to the claim. However, it continues to be crucial to emphasise that this information remains unconfirmed conjecture, and studio plans often change throughout the development process.
- $$100m funding from Abu Dhabi Investment Office backing the project
- Third-person, expansive open-world action game format verified in earlier reports
- Project built within the Embracer Group corporate umbrella structure
Why Warhorse Studios Represents a Strong Fit
Warhorse Studios has demonstrated exceptional capability in creating vast, absorbing settings that prioritise player control and period authenticity. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s critical acclaim and commercial performance—exceeding five million copies sold—validates the studio’s ability to deliver expansive open-world endeavours with scrupulous detail work. The game’s immersive mechanics and compelling storytelling have established Warhorse as a developer capable of handling ambitious storylines and sophisticated gameplay design. These qualifications position the Czech studio as an strong contender for adapting 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 indicate a natural creative synergy. Both universes necessitate richly intricate worlds, historically accurate design, and authentic world creation—areas where Warhorse has proven particularly strong. The studio’s demonstrated capability in reconciling creative vision 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 background working for the Embracer Group ecosystem provides 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 |
Engaging Narrative Environment Track Record
Kingdom Come: Deliverance transformed audience perceptions concerning immersion through its focus on systemic design and environmental storytelling. The game’s medieval Bohemian setting was carefully studied and authentically reconstructed, establishing a world where each element—from architecture to dialogue—reinforced authenticity. This method of constructing worlds reflects the meticulous care Tolkien invested in the languages, histories, and cultures of Middle-earth. Warhorse’s proven ability to balance period accuracy with compelling interactive experiences indicates they possess the necessary sensibilities to respect Tolkien’s created world whilst crafting substantive gameplay moments.
The studio’s track record of crafting interconnected open-world spaces filled with engaging AI characters and narrative possibilities directly translates to Lord of the Rings development requirements. Middle-earth’s varied landscapes—from the Shire’s rustic appeal to Mordor’s hostile terrain—call for the level of environmental variety and immersive narrative design Warhorse has already perfected. Their dedication to player-driven narratives, where individual choices ripple through the world, aligns perfectly with modern expectations for fantasy gaming experiences. This groundwork positions Warhorse to deliver a Lord of the Rings adaptation that feels both respectful of the books and innovatively interactive.
What Stays Unclear
Whilst the reports surrounding Warhorse Studios’ involvement in a Lord of the Rings project possess significant credibility, formal verification remains notably lacking. Ryszard Chojnowski’s claims on the Tolkien Polska podcast, though intriguing, represent industry hearsay rather than verified fact. The Czech developer and Warner Bros. Interactive have remained entirely silent on the matter, refusing to confirm or deny 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. Industry plans frequently shift, partnerships terminate, and projects undergo significant restructuring before official disclosure.
The development window for any potential Lord of the Rings release remains equally nebulous. Should Warhorse genuinely be working on the title, the studio would be managing various obligations and establishing new pipelines for an entirely different intellectual property. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s success has probably created calls for continued development, additional content, and community engagement. Additionally, acquiring the necessary creative and legal clearances from Tolkien Estate officials and Middle-earth Enterprises entails elaborate talks that could lengthen creation periods substantially. Without specific information concerning production status, team size, or expected completion dates, speculation about when players might actually experience this Middle-earth experience remains wholly hypothetical.
- Authoritative statement from Warhorse Studios or Warner Bros. remains completely absent
- Project timeline and anticipated launch date have not been confirmed
- Scope of the project—size, narrative focus, game mechanics—largely undetermined
- Potential delays or abandonments could occur during lengthy development period
The Overall Lord of the Rings Gaming Sector
The Lord of the Rings franchise has seen a somewhat irregular 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 AAA gaming space. Licence issues and the expiration of previous 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 significant unrealised potential. A substantial new title from a developer of Warhorse’s calibre could reignite interest and establish a fresh franchise within the gaming industry.
Should Warhorse Studios manage to release a Lord of the Rings game, it would mark a significant milestone for both the studio and the franchise. The developer’s proven expertise in creating engaging, narrative-focused gameplay through Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 positions them well to do justice to Middle-earth’s expansive storytelling heritage. A open-world action experience from a third-person perspective could potentially offer players unprecedented freedom in discovering Tolkien’s creation, enabling rich engagement with memorable places and personalities. The $100 million investment suggests aspirations aligned with those of other premium AAA releases, potentially rivalling latest large-scale fantasy games in scale and visual quality.
