Kingdom Come: Deliverance has consistently found itself at the center of heated discussions, with its narrative choices sparking reactions from various corners of the gaming community. The original installment faced scrutiny from progressive critics regarding its representation and the portrayal of the Czech protagonists versus their Cuman adversaries. Conversely, the sequel stirred discontent among more conservative audiences by incorporating elements such as gay romance and featuring positively depicted Romani, Jewish, and Muslim characters.
Warhorse Studios, the creative force behind the series, has expressed a certain weariness with the ongoing discourse. Last year, the studio conveyed its desire to step back from the culture wars, emphasizing a focus on crafting an engaging video game experience. In a recent conversation with Martin Klíma, co-founder and executive producer of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, I inquired whether he believed these controversies had any tangible impact on the series, particularly regarding sales, reception, or the morale of the development team.
Reflections on Controversy
Klíma acknowledged the complexity of the situation, admitting that determining the influence of such controversies is challenging. “I would really, really like to know the answer to this one,” he remarked. He noted that one could argue both sides effectively: on one hand, the controversies may have provided additional visibility—“it doesn’t matter what they say about you, as long as they spell your name right.” On the other hand, he recognized that any controversy could be detrimental, diverting attention away from the game itself and leading to convoluted discussions.
Despite the noise surrounding the games, Klíma shared his personal perspective, suggesting that the uproar likely had minimal effect on the series. “This whole kerfuffle only mattered to, really, a handful of terminally online culture warriors,” he stated, positing that this group represents a negligible segment of the broader gaming audience who, in his view, are largely indifferent to these so-called controversies.
When it comes to the developers at Warhorse, Klíma believes that any impact on their work was minor. “We all felt that it was very unfair and disingenuous, these attacks, for the first game and the second game both,” he explained. This sentiment, he noted, fostered a sense of camaraderie among the team, creating a ‘besieged fortress’ mentality. Interestingly, he mentioned that many team members remain largely unaware of the controversies, indicating a focus on their craft rather than the surrounding chatter.
