Developers at Warhorse Studios are pushing back against the recent online criticism surrounding Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Read on to understand their perspective on the controversy and its impact on the game.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Diversity: A Matter of Historical Accuracy
Warhorse Studios: Focused on Creating a Great Game
Warhorse Studios is tired of the negativity surrounding Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) and simply wants to create an enjoyable gaming experience. In a February 3, 2025 interview with PC Gamer, PR Manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling addressed the backlash over the game's increased diversity. He stated, "Several years ago, we were branded differently. Now we are branded that way. It seems like someone is always trying to brand us somehow, and we are just trying to make a cool videogame." This follows criticism from fans and critics regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ+ content and other elements deemed "woke."
Senior Game Designer Ondřej Bittner echoed this sentiment, stating, "We think the extreme voices are just never happy."
The Diversity of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
KCD2's setting in Kuttenberg allows for a more diverse representation compared to its predecessor. Bittner explained, "There's more ethnicities in Kuttenberg because Kuttenberg is the royal mint." As Bohemia's second most important city and financial center, Kuttenberg attracted people from various parts of the world, resulting in a more diverse population than other locations in the series.
Bittner highlighted the inclusion of various cultural and ethnic elements, including Italians, German-speaking individuals, and a Jewish quarter. He emphasized, "I think that it's important to not just include these people, but their vision of the world, which can sometimes feel lacking in games or media that call themselves diverse."
Stolz-Zwilling clarified that neither publisher Plaion nor Embracer Group influenced Warhorse Studios' creative decisions. The game's direction was shaped by community feedback. He stated, "Everything makes sense. Everything we put there was double and triple checked."
Pre-Orders Remain Unaffected by Backlash
Warhorse Studios addressed rumors of players requesting refunds due to the controversy. KCD2 Writer Daniel Vávra stated on Twitter (X) that the game's return rate remains unchanged despite the negative attention. He attributed the game's lower Steam chart position to discounts offered on several popular titles, citing a similar drop in pre-orders for Monster Hunter: Wilds.
In January 2025, Vávra faced criticism over KCD2's queer representation, leading to online speculation about a Saudi Arabian ban due to unskippable LGBT+ scenes. He denied these rumors, stating, "It is a ROLE PLAYING GAME, so it is purely up to the player what decisions they make and for all the decisions they make, they are responsible for the consequences that correspond to the morals and social norms of the time."
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Visit our Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 page for more details.
