Warhorse Studios addresses the controversy surrounding Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2), clarifying its commitment to historical accuracy and dismissing accusations of forced inclusivity. The developers express frustration with the negative online reaction.
Focus on Game Development, Not External Pressure
In a recent PC Gamer interview (February 3, 2025), KCD2's PR Manager, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, highlighted the team's primary goal: creating an engaging video game. He emphasized that the team consistently faces varying criticisms and remains dedicated to their creative vision. This follows criticism from some quarters labeling the game's increased diversity as "woke."
Senior Game Designer Ondřej Bittner echoed this sentiment, suggesting that extreme viewpoints often disregard the developers' intentions.
KCD2's Diverse Setting: A Reflection of Historical Kuttenberg
The game's setting in Kuttenberg, Bohemia's historical financial center, inherently fosters diversity. Bittner explained that the city's role as the royal mint attracted individuals from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including Italians, German speakers, and a Jewish community. He stressed the importance of representing not only the presence of these groups but also their unique perspectives within the game's narrative.
Stolz-Zwilling confirmed that the game's content was developed organically, driven by historical research and community feedback, without external pressure from publishers Plaion or Embracer. All elements included underwent rigorous fact-checking.
Pre-orders Remain Strong Despite Controversy
Responding to rumors of refund requests and alleged bans in certain regions due to LGBTQ+ representation, KCD2 Writer Daniel Vávra (via Twitter/X) stated that sales and return rates remain unaffected. He attributed temporary lower Steam chart rankings to concurrent sales promotions for other popular titles. Vávra also clarified that the game's LGBTQ+ content is presented within the context of a role-playing game, emphasizing player agency and the consequences of their in-game choices.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. For more details, visit our dedicated Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 page.
