Warhorse Studios is officially working on a new, large-scale role-playing game, but has declined to comment on rumors of a "Lord of the Rings" license. In a Reddit AMA, the developers only confirmed the genre, but refused to provide details about the setting or release window.
The developers of "Kingdom Come: Deliverance" are staying true to their approach. Community Manager Tom stated in the AMA session It's clear that the studio isn't planning any experiments in other genres. They'll stick to what they do best – role-playing games. That statement "Don't expect us to suddenly play an NBA game." underlines the focus on the company's existing expertise.
Technically speaking, this means players can once again expect a complex simulation and high immersion. Warhorse earned a reputation with its debut title for authentic, historically inspired mechanics. Whether this expertise will now be applied to a fantasy setting like Middle-earth or to a direct sequel to Kingdom Come: The New York Times remains to be seen.
Timeline and development status remain vague
There is no date set for an official announcement or even a release. The developers emphasized that production delays can occur at any time and that they will only go public when the time is "right".
The Rumors of a collaboration A collaboration with the Embracer Group – which owns Warhorse and also holds the rights to "The Lord of the Rings" – seems logical, but so far only speculation. A shift from realistic history to high fantasy would present the studio with new challenges in world-building and balancing.
Comparing this situation to the release of "Kingdom Come: Deliverance" makes one thing clear: Warhorse is taking its time. Since its acquisition by Koch Media/Embracer, the studio has a stronger financial foundation, which has significantly raised expectations for the technical polish of the new title.
The confirmation of the RPG genre is the only hard fact. Anyone hoping for a quick release will be disappointed. Technically, the project is likely to fully utilize the current generation of hardware (PS5/Xbox Series X and modern PCs), as the ambition is described as "huge and immersive." A "Lord of the Rings" RPG from Warhorse would represent a significant strategic shift away from realism and towards licensed content – a direct sequel to Henry's story remains a possibility at this point, albeit an unconfirmed one.
