Following the success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Czech developer Warhorse Studios confirmed it has begun work on a new project. Very little is known so far, except that studio founder Daniel Vávra is not involved, as he has shifted focus to a feature film adaptation of Kingdom Come.
Rumors previously suggested the studio might move away from historical realism toward a fantasy setting, possibly within The Lord of the Rings universe. While some sources dismissed these claims and Vávra himself had expressed interest in a Viking-themed game, new information has reignited speculation.
According to Polish localization expert and industry analyst Ryszard Chojnowski, speaking on the Tolkien Polska podcast, Warhorse has been working for some time on a large-scale AAA action RPG set in the world of J. R. R. Tolkien. He mentioned that the project is reportedly backed by a fund with investors from the UAE, with funding of around $100 million. While he initially dismissed the rumors, he now believes there may be more truth to them than many expect.
This aligns with a September 2025 report from Insider Gaming, which claimed that a major Lord of the Rings action RPG was in development with financial support from Abu Dhabi Investment Office totaling $100 million.
Warhorse is part of Deep Silver, owned by Embracer Group, which holds the rights to produce games based on The Lord of the Rings. This makes Warhorse a logical candidate for such a project, especially after the success of Kingdom Come.
If the studio has indeed shifted toward fantasy, it could explain Vávra’s departure. Throughout his career, he has focused on realistic games, making it likely he chose not to participate in a fantasy project.
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