Warhorse Studios said on May 20, 2026 [1], that the next Kingdom Come game will be an open-world RPG.
The announcement signals a significant expansion for the franchise, as the studio seeks to leverage a broader open-world format to grow its player base. This move suggests a shift in scope from previous entries in the series.
The studio said the title is slated to launch in the next fiscal year [2]. While the developer has confirmed the game's genre and release window, some details regarding the setting remain inconsistent across reports.
According to IGN, the new title is a Kingdom Come franchise entry [3]. However, other reports suggest a different direction for the project. TechTimes said that the open-world RPG is set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth [1].
Warhorse Studios has not provided a specific calendar date for the release beyond the fiscal year window [2]. The studio's decision to employ an open-world structure follows the gritty formula established in previous titles, though the application of that formula to a potential licensed IP like Middle-earth would represent a departure from the series' historical roots [1].
Industry analysts are monitoring the project to see if the studio maintains its commitment to realism within this new framework. The transition to a larger open-world scale often presents technical challenges for developers, specifically regarding performance and world density.
As of this week, the studio has not released a trailer or official gameplay footage to clarify the discrepancy regarding the game's setting.
“The next Kingdom Come game will be an open-world RPG”
The contradiction between sources regarding the setting suggests either a pivot in development or a misunderstanding of the IP involvement. If Warhorse Studios is indeed moving from historical Bohemia to Middle-earth, it marks a transition from a niche historical simulator to a mainstream fantasy property, which could significantly alter the franchise's identity and commercial trajectory.
