Warhorse Studios is preparing to step beyond the borders of 15th-century Bohemia. The Czech developer, which gained international acclaim for its uncompromising approach to historical simulation, has confirmed that a new, large-scale role-playing game (RPG) is currently in development.
The announcement comes as the studio begins to transition its primary focus away from the Kingdom Approach: Deliverance series. While the developers have spent years crafting the intricate journey of Henry of Skalitz, the confirmation of a new project suggests a strategic pivot toward a fresh intellectual property or a significant expansion of their design philosophy.
Industry observers have long speculated about the studio’s next move following the release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which launched on February 11, 2025. The move toward a new RPG marks a critical juncture for Warhorse, as they attempt to balance the niche appeal of hardcore historical realism with the demands of a broader global gaming market.
Closing the Chapter on Kingdom Come
For nearly a decade, Warhorse Studios has been synonymous with the Kingdom Come franchise. The series redefined the open-world RPG by stripping away traditional fantasy elements—such as magic and mythical creatures—in favor of a meticulous recreation of medieval life, law, and combat.
However, the studio has indicated that It’s now closing the chapter
on the current narrative arc. This does not necessarily signal the end of the franchise, but it suggests that the immediate development pipeline is no longer centered on the direct continuation of Henry’s story. The transition is a natural evolution for a studio that has spent the better part of a decade immersed in a single historical setting.
The decision to move toward a new project allows the team to apply the technical lessons learned during the production of the first two titles. From the complex AI schedules of NPCs to the systemic interaction of the environment, the foundation built for Kingdom Come will likely serve as the engine for their next ambitious undertaking.
The Mystery of the New Project: KCD III or a New IP?
The most pressing question for the community is whether this new RPG is a secret Kingdom Come: Deliverance III or an entirely new universe. When pressed on the details, the developers have remained intentionally vague, refusing to confirm the title or the setting of the new game.
This ambiguity has fueled a wave of rumors within the gaming community. Specifically, reports have circulated regarding a potential licensed project, with some speculating that the studio could be developing a game based on The Lord of the Rings. Such a move would represent a radical departure from the studio’s “no-fantasy” mandate, shifting them from historical simulation to high-fantasy epic.
Whether the project is a third installment in the Kingdom Come series or a licensed IP, the studio has emphasized that the scale will be large
. This implies a commitment to the depth and breadth that defined their previous work, rather than a shift toward smaller, more experimental titles.
Navigating AI Controversy and Innovation
The road to this new project has not been without friction. Warhorse Studios has recently had to address criticism regarding the implementation of artificial intelligence within their development process and the resulting gameplay experiences.
The debate centers on the balance between handcrafted authenticity and the efficiency of AI-driven tools. In an era where many studios are leaning heavily into generative AI for dialogue and asset creation, Warhorse has faced scrutiny over how these technologies impact the “soul” of a historical simulation. The studio has acknowledged this feedback, signaling that the philosophy guiding their new RPG will be informed by these critiques.
For a studio that prides itself on research—often collaborating with historians and archaeologists—the integration of AI is a delicate tightrope. The goal for the upcoming project appears to be the use of AI to enhance systemic complexity (such as more reactive NPC behavior) without sacrificing the meticulous detail that fans expect.
Key Pillars of Warhorse’s Development Philosophy
To understand what the new RPG might appear like, it is helpful to examine the core tenets that Warhorse has maintained throughout its existence:
- Historical and Environmental Rigor: A commitment to recreating settings based on actual architectural and social records.
- Systemic Gameplay: Moving away from scripted events in favor of systems that allow for emergent gameplay.
- Player Agency: Ensuring that character progression is tied to actual skill acquisition rather than just statistical upgrades.
- Atmospheric Immersion: Prioritizing a “lived-in” feel where the world continues to function regardless of the player’s actions.
What This Means for the RPG Genre
The confirmation of a new project from Warhorse Studios is significant because it tests whether “hardcore simulation” can exist as a sustainable standalone genre outside of a specific historical brand. If the studio successfully launches a new IP with the same level of depth as Kingdom Come, it could encourage other developers to move away from the homogenized “Ubisoft-style” open world toward more systemic, challenging experiences.
the studio’s relationship with its publisher, Deep Silver, will be a key factor in the project’s direction. The scale of the new RPG suggests a high budget, which typically comes with pressure to increase accessibility. The tension between maintaining a “hardcore” identity and achieving commercial viability will likely be the defining struggle of this new development cycle.
Timeline and Expectations
Currently, there is no official release date or window for the new RPG. Given the studio’s history of lengthy development cycles and their insistence on polish, it is unlikely that a playable build will be revealed in the immediate future.
Fans can expect more information as the studio moves further into the pre-production and production phases. The first sign of progress will likely be a conceptual teaser or a technical blog post detailing the new systems being implemented to address previous AI criticisms.
As of May 2026, the studio remains focused on the long-term support and legacy of the Kingdom Come series while quietly building the foundation for whatever comes next. Whether they return to the mud and blood of the Middle Ages or venture into an entirely new realm, the industry will be watching to spot if Warhorse can replicate the lightning-in-a-bottle success of their debut.
For official updates and future announcements, players are encouraged to monitor the Warhorse Studios official portal.
What do you think? Should Warhorse stick to historical realism, or is it time for them to embrace a fantasy setting? Share your thoughts in the comments below.