Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Faces Backlash, Developers Defend Historical Accuracy
Warhorse Studios, developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2), are pushing back against recent criticism surrounding the game's increased diversity. In a February 3, 2025 interview with PC Gamer, PR Manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling addressed the controversy, stating the team's focus remains on creating an engaging game, irrespective of external labeling. He highlighted the cyclical nature of criticism, emphasizing that the studio's goal is simply to develop a compelling title.
Senior Game Designer Ondřej Bittner echoed this sentiment, suggesting that extreme online voices are inherently difficult to satisfy.
Historical Context for KCD2's Diversity
The game's setting in Kuttenberg, Bohemia's financial hub, naturally lends itself to a more diverse cast than its predecessor. Bittner explained that the city's role as the royal mint attracted individuals from various ethnic backgrounds, including Italians and Germans, and featured a significant Jewish quarter. He stressed the importance of representing not only diverse characters but also their unique perspectives, a detail often overlooked in games claiming to be diverse.
Stolz-Zwilling clarified that neither publisher Plaion nor Embracer Group influenced the game's content, emphasizing that all inclusions were thoroughly researched and historically verified.
Pre-orders Remain Strong Despite Controversy
Addressing online speculation regarding refunds and a potential ban in Saudi Arabia due to LGBTQ+ content, writer Daniel Vávra refuted these claims on Twitter (X). He stated that return rates remain consistent with previous titles, attributing recent lower Steam chart rankings to concurrent game sales. Vávra also clarified that the game's LGBTQ+ representation is integrated within the RPG framework, allowing players agency and accountability for their in-game choices within the historical context.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
