Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Faces Backlash, Developers Defend Historical Accuracy
Warhorse Studios, developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2), are pushing back against recent online criticism regarding the game's increased diversity. In a February 3, 2025 interview with PC Gamer, PR Manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling addressed the controversy, stating that the team is simply focused on creating an engaging game and that they've faced various forms of criticism throughout their development history. He emphasized their goal is to develop a "cool videogame," regardless of external pressures.
Senior Game Designer Ondřej Bittner echoed this sentiment, suggesting that extreme online voices are inherently dissatisfied, regardless of the game's content.
Historical Accuracy and Diversity in KCD2
The game's setting in Kuttenberg, Bohemia's financial center, naturally lends itself to a more diverse cast than its predecessor. Bittner highlighted the presence of various ethnicities, including Italians, German speakers, and a Jewish quarter, as historically accurate representations of the city's cosmopolitan nature. He stressed the importance of portraying not just the presence of these diverse groups, but also their unique perspectives and worldviews, a detail often overlooked in games marketed as diverse.
Stolz-Zwilling clarified that neither publisher Plaion nor Embracer Group mandated the inclusion of specific agendas. The team's approach to KCD2 was shaped by community feedback, but all additions were thoroughly vetted for historical accuracy. He confirmed, "Everything makes sense. Everything we put there was double and triple checked."
Pre-Orders and Sales Remain Unimpacted
Addressing online speculation about refunds and a negative impact on sales, KCD2 Writer Daniel Vávra tweeted that return rates remain consistent despite the controversy. He attributed the game's lower Steam chart position to concurrent sales of discounted popular titles, citing similar drops in pre-orders for other games like Monster Hunter: Wilds. Vávra also refuted rumors of a Saudi Arabian ban due to LGBTQ+ content, emphasizing the game's role-playing nature and the player's agency in shaping their experience within the game's historical context.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is currently available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. For more information, visit our dedicated Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 page.
