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 is pushing back against recent criticism leveled at Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) for its increased diversity. In a recent interview with PC Gamer (February 3, 2025), PR Manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling expressed frustration with the ongoing negative response. 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 deemed 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 is not responsible for the controversy. "We think the extreme voices are just never happy," he commented.

KCD2's Enhanced Diversity: A Reflection of Historical Kuttenberg

The game's setting in Kuttenberg, Bohemia's historical financial center, accounts for its more diverse cast compared to its predecessor. Bittner explained, "There's more ethnicities in Kuttenberg because Kuttenberg is the royal mint." The city's status as a major economic hub attracted individuals from various parts of the world, resulting in a more diverse population than other locations in the game's setting.

Bittner highlighted the inclusion of diverse cultural and ethnic elements, such as Italian characters, German-speaking individuals, and a Jewish quarter. He emphasized the importance of accurately portraying "their vision of the world, which can sometimes feel lacking in games or media that call themselves diverse."

Stolz-Zwilling clarified that Warhorse Studios' approach to KCD2 was shaped by community feedback, not directives from their publisher, Plaion or Embracer. He stated, "Everything makes sense. Everything we put there was double and triple checked."

Pre-Orders Remain Steady Despite Controversy

Addressing rumors of refund requests following the backlash, KCD2 Writer Daniel Vávra tweeted that return rates remain consistent. He attributed the game's lower position on Steam charts to concurrent discounts on several popular titles, citing the impact on Monster Hunter: Wilds pre-orders as an example. Vávra also refuted claims of a Saudi Arabian ban due to unskippable LGBT+ content, emphasizing the game's role-playing nature and player agency.

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