Kingdom Come devs reportedly working on Abu Dhabi-funded $100M Lord of the Rings game

Warhorse Studios, developer of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, is rumoured to be working on a new Lord of the Rings game, according to claims from Polish industry veteran Ryszard Chojnowski. The project allegedly involves close to $100 million in funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office for an open-world action game similar to Hogwarts Legacy. No official confirmation has been provided by either Warhorse Studios or parent company Embracer Group.

What the industry veteran claims

According to a ResetEra post by user 'toujours', Ryszard Chojnowski—a 27-year veteran who worked as a project lead on The Witcher—made these claims during the Tolkien Polska podcast. Chojnowski stated he heard from credible sources that Warhorse Studios is the mysterious 'Revenge Studios' mentioned in earlier reports about the Lord of the Rings project.

The veteran revealed he first heard these rumours months ago but didn't initially believe them. However, he claims there have been 'more whispers about it recently', lending additional weight to the speculation. Chojnowski's industry credentials and previous work on major gaming projects add some credibility to these unconfirmed claims.

The $100 million Abu Dhabi connection

As reported by Insider Gaming in late 2025, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office is funding close to $100 million for a new Lord of the Rings game. This substantial investment represents a significant commitment to creating a high-production-value gaming experience that could rival other major fantasy titles.

The funding aligns with the UAE's broader strategy of diversifying its economy through investments in entertainment and technology sectors. For the gaming industry, such substantial backing from a sovereign wealth entity suggests confidence in the commercial potential of a well-executed Lord of the Rings adaptation.

Why Warhorse Studios makes sense

Warhorse Studios earned critical acclaim for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which demonstrated the developer's ability to create immersive, historically detailed open-world experiences. The studio's approach to realistic character progression, complex narrative choices, and attention to world-building could translate well to Middle-earth.

The developer is owned by Embracer Group, which holds the interactive entertainment rights to The Lord of the Rings. This corporate structure would eliminate licensing complications and allow for streamlined development. Embracer has been actively seeking to monetise its Lord of the Rings portfolio following previous underwhelming releases like Gollum and Tales of the Shire.

The rumoured game's description as a 'third-person action game similar to Hogwarts Legacy' suggests a more accessible approach than Kingdom Come's hardcore RPG mechanics, potentially appealing to mainstream audiences whilst maintaining Warhorse's commitment to detailed world-building.

Context of recent Lord of the Rings games

The Lord of the Rings gaming franchise has struggled in recent years. Daedalic Entertainment's The Lord of the Rings: Gollum received overwhelmingly negative reviews upon release, whilst the cozy farming sim Tales of the Shire failed to generate significant commercial interest. These disappointments have left fans hoping for a return to the epic scope and quality of earlier Lord of the Rings adaptations.

Previous rumours suggested Crystal Dynamics was developing a $100 million Lord of the Rings RPG, though these claims never materialised into official announcements. The gaming community has also seen setbacks like Amazon's cancelled Lord of the Rings MMO, further highlighting the challenges of adapting Tolkien's work for interactive entertainment.

What this means for the franchise

If accurate, Warhorse Studios' involvement could signal a more serious approach to Lord of the Rings gaming adaptations. The studio's track record with Kingdom Come: Deliverance demonstrates their ability to handle complex narrative structures and create believable fantasy worlds grounded in authentic detail.

The substantial Abu Dhabi funding suggests this project aims for AAA production values rather than the smaller-scale efforts that have disappointed fans recently. A Hogwarts Legacy-style approach could provide the perfect balance between accessibility and depth, potentially attracting both longtime fans and newcomers to Middle-earth.

However, the gaming industry has seen numerous high-profile projects fail despite significant funding and talented developers. Until official confirmation emerges, these remain compelling but unverified claims about one of entertainment's most valuable fantasy properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Warhorse Studios making a new Lord of the Rings game?

According to Polish industry veteran Ryszard Chojnowski, Warhorse Studios is rumoured to be developing a new Lord of the Rings game. However, this remains unconfirmed speculation with no official announcement from the studio or parent company Embracer Group.

Who is funding the new Lord of the Rings game?

Reports suggest the Abu Dhabi Investment Office is funding close to $100 million for a new Lord of the Rings game project. This substantial investment would position it as a major AAA gaming production.

What kind of game will the new Lord of the Rings be?

The rumoured game is described as a third-person action title similar to Hogwarts Legacy. This suggests an open-world experience that balances accessibility with depth, potentially appealing to both mainstream audiences and dedicated fantasy fans.

When was this rumour first reported?

Initial reports about a $100 million Lord of the Rings game emerged in late 2025. The specific claims linking Warhorse Studios to the project surfaced in March 2026 through industry veteran Ryszard Chojnowski's podcast appearance.

Why would Warhorse Studios be a good fit for Lord of the Rings?

Warhorse Studios demonstrated exceptional world-building skills with Kingdom Come: Deliverance, creating an immersive medieval experience with attention to historical detail. Their expertise in narrative-driven RPGs and realistic environments could translate well to Middle-earth's rich fantasy setting.

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