Warhorse Studios confirmed it is developing an open world Middle-earth RPG based on The Lord of the Rings. The studio also announced work on a new Kingdom Come adventure. This announcement arrived on May 20, 2026. Earlier reports had suggested Crystal Dynamics was building the project. Insider Gaming later updated its reporting to reflect Warhorse Studios as the developer.
Studio confirms open world Middle-earth RPG alongside new Kingdom Come adventure project.
The Middle-earth RPG aims to compete with Hogwarts Legacy in the open world genre. The project receives partial funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. ADIO contributes around $100 million toward development costs. This investment supports a large scale production for the fantasy setting.
Warhorse Studios plans to price the game at $100 million USD (about $100). This figure represents the total development budget rather than a consumer retail price. The studio has not yet disclosed specific launch windows or regional release dates for either title.
Industry observers note that Warhorse Studios previously delivered Kingdom Come: Deliverment. That title established the developer as capable of handling complex historical RPG mechanics. The shift to a fantasy setting with The Lord of the Rings represents a significant genre change for the team.
Warhorse Studios has not confirmed specific launch windows for either project. The studio maintains that both titles remain in active development stages.
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