Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Diversity is Just a Result of Historical Accuracy

Warhorse Studios Addresses Backlash Against Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Increased Diversity

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 expressed frustration with the ongoing negative commentary. 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 some fans and critics who labeled the game's inclusion of LGBTQ+ content and other elements as "woke."

Senior Game Designer Ondřej Bittner echoed Stolz-Zwilling's sentiments, asserting that the team's intentions are not at fault. "We think the extreme voices are just never happy," he commented.

The Historical Context of KCD2's Diversity

The game's setting in Kuttenberg, Bohemia's financial center, accounts for its diverse population. Bittner explained, "There's more ethnicities in Kuttenberg because Kuttenberg is the royal mint." The city's role as a major economic hub attracted individuals from various backgrounds, resulting in a more diverse environment than depicted in previous installments.

Bittner highlighted the inclusion of diverse cultural elements, including Italian characters, German-speaking individuals, and a Jewish quarter, emphasizing the importance of accurately representing "their vision of the world." Stolz-Zwilling clarified that neither Plaion nor Embracer, the publishers, dictated the inclusion of specific agendas; the team's approach was shaped solely by community feedback and meticulous historical research. "Everything makes sense. Everything we put there was double and triple checked," he stated.

Pre-Orders Remain Strong Despite Controversy

Addressing rumors of refund requests following the backlash, KCD2 Writer Daniel Vávra stated on Twitter (X) that sales returns remain consistent. He attributed the game's lower Steam chart position to concurrent sales of discounted titles, citing similar drops in pre-orders for other games like Monster Hunter: Wilds. Vávra also debunked rumors of a Saudi Arabian ban due to unskippable LGBTQ+ scenes, reiterating that the game's nature as an RPG allows players agency in their choices and subsequent consequences within the game's historical context. "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," he clarified.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is currently available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.