Warhorse Studios, creators of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series, has confirmed the development of an open-world RPG set in Middle-earth. The studio is also working on a new installment in its historical saga. Without specific details, the team has expressed its enthusiasm for revealing more information when the time is right. This move expands their focus beyond medieval Europe to explore J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy universe.
Proprietary engine and open world: Warhorse's technical challenge 🛠️
Warhorse plans to adapt its modified CryEngine, used in Kingdom Come, to recreate Middle-earth with a level of detail similar to its previous titles. The technical challenge lies in transferring the physics simulation and historical interaction systems to a fantasy environment with magic and creatures. The team is expected to maintain its focus on immersion, with a world that reacts to player decisions, although there is no confirmation yet on combat systems or specific role-playing mechanics.
From unwashed peasants to elves with arrows: the leap of faith 🏹
Warhorse goes from researching 15th-century armor to having to decide whether orcs wear underwear. Fans of Kingdom Come fear that extreme realism will translate into having to manage an elf's hygiene or count arrows one by one. But hey, if they manage to make a hobbit have to eat every few hours or suffer penalties, maybe we'll even reconcile with the medieval hunger system.