Warhorse Studios, the Bohemian studio behind last year’s highly praised Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is allegedly working on a major Lord of the Rings adaptation. As claimed by Ryszard Chojnowski, a former project lead 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 backed by a considerable $100 million funding provided by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, indicating an ambitious AAA venture. Whilst unconfirmed, the announcement arrives as Warhorse Studios enjoys the acclaim of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which shipped more than five million copies and became one of 2025’s best releases.
Spanning Medieval Realms to Tolkien’s Middle-earth
Warhorse Studios has established itself as a virtuoso of immersive, historically-grounded narrative design through Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The studio’s meticulous approach to universe creation, sophisticated character work, and dedication to player agency have received extensive critical praise. These defining features of their design philosophy could adapt particularly effectively to Tolkien’s elaborately crafted universe. The move from medieval Bohemia to the fantastical realms of Middle-earth marks a fitting development for a studio that has proven its ability to craft expansive, narratively compelling open worlds.
The breadth and drive required for a Lord of the Rings game sits well with Warhorse’s established track record. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 showcased the studio’s skill in combining historical accuracy and immersive mechanical design, creating an experience that was simultaneously grounded yet epic. With a reported $100 million funding supporting the project, Warhorse would possess the means to realise Tolkien’s sprawling landscapes and complex lore. Such a collaboration could arguably deliver a Lord of the Rings experience that honours the franchise’s literary grandeur.
- Immersive expansive-world framework validated through Kingdom Come achievement
- Strong story-driven narratives and character arc proficiency
- Experience creating vast fantasy medieval environments
- Considerable financial backing facilitates grand ambition
The Claimed Project Details
Considerable Financial Commitment and Scale
Reports initially emerged in 2025 indicating that a Lord of the Rings title was in active development, supported by a remarkable $100 million financial commitment from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. This considerable financial backing highlights the project’s significance within the video game sector, positioning it as a major AAA title rather than a modest independent venture. The scale of funding suggests developers have been granted substantial resources to realise an ambitious vision of Middle-earth, potentially allowing for vast environments, cutting-edge technology, and extensive narrative content that suits the legendary world of Tolkien.
The project has been characterized as a third-person, open-world action game, a format that has grown steadily in popularity across the gaming sector. This creative approach works exceptionally well with Warhorse Studios’ established capabilities in developing engaging, player-centric worlds. The combination of a considerable funding, established developer pedigree, and a tested design framework indicates the Lord of the Rings adaptation could represent a significant milestone for the franchise, providing players with a AAA adventure on a magnitude unseen since 2017’s Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
Ryszard Chojnowski, a previous project lead on The Witcher series, offered the first concrete indication of Warhorse Studios’ participation during an appearance on the Tolkien Polska podcast. Whilst initially sceptical of the claim himself, Chojnowski acknowledged that mounting reports and rumours gave credibility to the claim. However, it remains essential to emphasise that this information remains unconfirmed speculation, and studio strategies often evolve throughout development cycles.
- $$100m investment by Abu Dhabi Investment Office supporting the project
- Third-person perspective, expansive open-world action game format verified in previous reports
- Project created within the Embracer Group corporate parent company structure
Why Warhorse Studios Is a Logical Choice
Warhorse Studios has showcased exceptional capability in crafting vast, absorbing settings that centre on player agency and period authenticity. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s critical acclaim and commercial performance—surpassing five million copies sold—confirms the studio’s capacity to execute expansive open-world endeavours with careful attention to detail. The game’s immersive mechanics and compelling storytelling have established Warhorse as a developer able to execute expansive narratives and complex gameplay systems. These credentials establish the Czech studio as an ideal candidate for bringing Tolkien’s complex mythological universe into an digital experience that honours the source material’s richness and intricacy.
The thematic parallels between Kingdom Come’s medieval European setting and Middle-earth’s fantasy landscape indicate a natural creative synergy. Both universes demand richly detailed environments, historically accurate design, and period-rooted narrative foundations—areas where Warhorse has proven particularly strong. The studio’s established track record in reconciling creative vision with technical mastery makes them ideally positioned to deliver the magnitude and standard 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 publishing relationships 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 Track Record
Kingdom Come: Deliverance redefined player expectations regarding immersion through its dedication to systemic design and world narrative. The game’s medieval Bohemian setting was thoroughly investigated and authentically reconstructed, establishing a world where every detail—from architecture to dialogue—underscored authenticity. This approach to world-building mirrors the meticulous care Tolkien applied to Middle-earth’s languages, histories, and cultures. Warhorse’s proven ability to reconcile historical fidelity with compelling interactive experiences suggests they demonstrate the required understanding to respect Tolkien’s established universe whilst creating meaningful interactive experiences.
The studio’s experience in crafting interconnected open-world spaces filled with engaging AI characters and story-driven moments directly applies to Lord of the Rings development requirements. Middle-earth’s diverse regions—from the Shire’s bucolic character to Mordor’s barren wastelands—require the level of environmental variety and evocative world-building Warhorse has already demonstrated expertise in. Their focus on choice-based storytelling, where personal actions influence the world, resonates with current player expectations for fantasy gaming experiences. This groundwork allows Warhorse to deliver a Lord of the Rings game that feels both respectful of the books and creatively engaging.
What Remains Uncertain
Whilst the accounts surrounding Warhorse Studios’ involvement 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 intriguing, represent sector speculation rather than confirmed information. 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 missing public declaration is noteworthy. Professional projects often change, partnerships end, and projects require major modifications before official disclosure.
The schedule 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 creating novel workflows for an completely separate intellectual property. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s success has likely generated demands for continued development, supplementary material, and audience involvement. Additionally, acquiring the essential authorisations from Tolkien Estate officials and Middle-earth Enterprises entails intricate discussions that could extend creation periods significantly. Without specific information about development progress, workforce numbers, or projected deadlines, conjecture regarding when players might actually experience this Middle-earth experience stays wholly hypothetical.
- Official confirmation from Warhorse Studios or Warner Bros. is entirely lacking
- Production schedule and anticipated launch date are completely unverified
- Scope of the project—size, narrative focus, gameplay features—largely undefined
- Possible setbacks or cancellations could occur during extended development cycle
The Overall Lord of the Rings Gaming Environment
The Lord of the Rings franchise has undergone a fairly inconsistent presence in gaming over the last ten years. Following the critical and commercial success of Middle-earth: Shadow of War in 2017, the licence has remained largely dormant in the AAA gaming market. Licensing complications and the end of prior agreements have generated substantial vacancies in the market, leaving devoted fans with few authorised interactive offerings. The property’s enormous cultural cachet and the committed fanbase surrounding Tolkien’s works indicate significant unrealised potential. A substantial new title from a developer of Warhorse’s quality could restore interest and create a fresh franchise within the gaming industry.
Should Warhorse Studios complete a Lord of the Rings game, it would represent a major achievement for both the studio and the intellectual property. The developer’s established track record in creating engaging, narrative-focused gameplay through Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 positions them well to capture the essence of Middle-earth’s rich narrative legacy. A open-world action experience from a third-person perspective could conceivably provide players remarkable scope in exploring Tolkien’s world, fostering engaging encounters with legendary settings and figures. The $100 million investment suggests aspirations aligned with those of other high-budget flagship games, possibly competing with latest large-scale fantasy games in ambition and technical achievement.
