As a long-time fan of historical RPGs and someone who has witnessed the evolution of Kingdom Come Deliverance since its humble beginnings, I must say that my excitement for the sequel is palpable. The journey from a small team with a Kickstarter dream to a studio boasting 250 talented individuals is truly inspiring.
2018’s Kingdom Come: Deliverance seemed almost unexpected, presenting players with an extensive role-playing game set in historical Bohemia, hailing from an under-the-radar development team.
Despite being somewhat rough around the edges at times, it successfully introduced captivating fantasy locations within a historically authentic setting, thereby attracting an audience and offering developer Warhorse Studios room for improvement. Now, with its sequel just months away from release (and looking quite promising), we had the opportunity to speak with Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, PR manager at the studio.
We spoke to Stolz-Zwilling about the team’s growth since the first game, Witcher comparisons, and how it feels to have firearms added.
“Sink or swim”
Approximately seven years after the initial release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, we can expect its sequel to appear. Although the development team had originally conceived a follow-up, Stolz-Zwilling acknowledges that it wasn’t guaranteed.
“He clarifies that the straightforward response is, we’ve been planning a sequel since the beginning, and almost immediately following the release of the Royal Edition of Kingdom Come: Deliverance in 2019, we started working on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.”
“We’ve been through some critical junctures in our past where success was a matter of survival. For instance, if our Kickstarter campaign in 2014 hadn’t succeeded, Kingdom Come: Deliverance wouldn’t have existed at all. Similarly, if the initial release had flopped, we might not have developed any DLCs or considered a sequel; however, here we stand, still going strong.”
Initially, it was just a small group of us who embarked on the creation of this game back in 2014, but as time passed, our team has grown significantly. Now, when I look around, there are about 250 talented individuals working here, and it’s truly awe-inspiring to see how far we’ve come.
It’s challenging for me to remember everyone’s names, though joking aside, our organizational structure is quite egalitarian, allowing anyone to propose ideas or voice strong disagreements. While this can prolong discussions, it often leads to improved outcomes.
Furthermore, with our expanded resources, we’re now ready to undertake more substantial tasks. To illustrate, one dream project has long been the creation of a medieval city within the game, yet this was beyond reach due to our previous constraints.
Kutten about the place
The city we saw appears to be filled with numerous pathway options, branching out in various directions, at least from our initial glimpse. This place is now recognized as Kutná Hora, a geographical entity within Warhorse’s homeland of the Czech Republic. It seems evident that the team takes great pride in their heritage, as Stolz-Zwilling shared during our visit that they aspire for the game to have a similar impact on the Czech Republic as The Witcher 3 had on Poland.
As I put it, it boils down to the unique way a game is experienced and whether it successfully transcends the ‘it’s just a video game’ barrier. In other words, Kingdom Come: Deliverance isn’t just another game; it’s more like a cultural ambassador or an export from the beautiful Czech Republic.
Different organizations like the City of Kutná Hora, the Central Bohemian Tourism Office, Czech politicians, embassies, and national news outlets are actively seeking collaboration. However, we’re not blind to the fact that the outcome ultimately hinges on the game’s performance.
In recent times, Ubisoft has faced criticism from some passionate fans regarding the ‘depictions’ in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows they find inaccurate. However, Stolz-Zwilling is eager to clarify that the team is meticulously replicating 1403 Bohemia, including its flaws, albeit with some artistic freedom taken.
“The choices we make are often based on technical requirements or gameplay considerations. Rest assured, we’re putting in a lot of effort to portray 1403 Bohemia as accurately as we can, given what we know.”
Beyond just having an on-site historian, we’re fortunate to have her connected directly with museums, academia, reenactors, and other resources. We’re meticulously sifting through stacks of historical documents and data to ensure a comprehensive grasp of multiple subjects.
As a seasoned storyteller with years of experience under my belt, I’ve come to realize that every tale we weave needs a reliable vessel to bring it to life. In this case, that vessel is our video game. We gather the facts, immerse ourselves in them, and craft an authentic narrative that mirrors reality as closely as possible. It’s like having a toolbox filled with all the essentials needed to create a believable and engaging story. The characters, settings, and gameplay must resonate with players, making them feel part of the tale. I believe that this approach allows us to captivate audiences and share our stories in a way that feels both authentic and immersive.
Bang Bang
In the game, precision carries over to its entire system, and a major novelty in gameplay for this edition is the integration of firearms. Since most battles in the previous game took place up close, I was curious about how significantly the introduction of long-range weapons might alter the dynamics.
“Kingdom Come: Deliverance won’t suddenly become a shooter, so don’t worry,” Stolz-Zwilling jokes.
Consider gunpowder and large crossbows as your most powerful tools – fire one shot, but ensure it’s impactful. These weapons are cumbersome to handle, require skill to use effectively, and take a considerable amount of time to reload. Therefore, when the circumstance demands it, opt for close combat weapons instead.
“Crossbows come in three types – light, medium, and heavy. The differences lie in their power and loading speed. To round off our selection of long-range weapons, we have bows too, which offer the quickest shots but can be challenging to accurately aim.”
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2024-08-21 10:13