Balancing accuracy and gameplay in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Most players treat medieval-inspired games with a grain of salt. When confronted with a large, combat-heavy RPG that transports you deep into the Middle Ages, you expect some level of fantasy to have an affect on the realism of the world - it's simply a matter of balance. There are some concessions that must be made in order to make the game enjoyable and interesting, rather than completely immersing the player in strict accuracy.
However, in Warhorse Studios' Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, the customary concessions of the genre are fewer and farther between - in large part because the team worked hard to ensure that the balance favored historical truth as much as the enjoyment of the game.
Even at the best of times, striking the right balance may be difficult. What remains? What happens? What components are most vital in making a player feel fully immersed in the world of Bohemia? With a seven-year development period, it's safe to assume that Warhorse Studios addressed these questions seriously.
"At the end of the day, it should always be possible, and nothing should feel out of place," Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, Global PR Manager at Warhorse Studios, told GamesHub late last year. "Most [changes] are for technical reasons - houses might be bigger than they're supposed to be, maybe there are more fancy places than there are supposed to be - but the overall package should be as close to the Middle Ages as you can get in a video game."
How did Kingdom Come: Deliverance II remain historically accurate?
Video game development has a lot of moving components. In a game of the scale of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, numerous teams typically work ceaselessly on different parts at the same time, collaborating to create a realistic picture of the realm. So, with precision as one of the game's main goals, how do you ensure that everyone is striving toward the same goal?
Joanna Nowak is the historian in question, and her responsibility is to work with both internal teams and external sources to develop a historically accurate picture of the 1400s. Her expertise working on Kingdom Come: Deliverance I and II allowed her to isolate the most relevant historical elements, which was an important part of the creation.
"She consults universities, museums, and even re-enactors," Stolz-Zwilling explained. ""We strive to consult as many individuals as possible before arriving at the best possible balance - and, once again, the bottom line is that it must always be plausible. It's a lengthy process that involves discussion and consideration from a variety of sources, especially because the game features real-life historical individuals. While some institutions can provide advice on the timetable of real-world events, the team can also obtain authentic feedback on the weight of a specific weapon or the difficulty of movement in a specific form of armor by consulting with historically accurate re-enactors.
"I know that historians don't like re-enactors so much because they are trying to take modern stuff and make it medieval, but that's maybe the point," Stolz-Zwilling remarked. "They can give us first-hand feedback on how it feels to wear a helmet, or wear armour."
This emphasis on diverse consultation and rigorous study enabled the team to vibe check Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and build a true medieval urban atmosphere that represents the realities of the historical period.
It's the small things
One of the most amazing aspects of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is its attention to detail. From the unique textures and ambient storytelling to the implications of your actions and the precise wording of speech, there is a commitment to authenticity that feels next level.
These are features that are frequently disregarded in RPGs in favor of spectacular combat or compelling tales. In a game like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, however, they take center stage, particularly for observant fans who have become immersed in the universe. NPC behaviors, in particular, have received significant notice on social media due to their exceptional attention to detail.
Recently, Reddit users discovered that, over time, townsfolk in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will scavenge abandoned commodities in the environment. Perhaps more intriguingly, this behaviour is influenced by status. Patrik Papšo, a programmer at Warhorse, confirmed in a quote tweet on X/Twitter that the NPC's behavior depends solely on what they perceive valuable.
“They choose what they pick based on the value of the item and their social status,” said Papšo. "That's why nobles might ignore cheap items, but beggars will pick them up."
But that's not all; there's something remarkable about Bohemia's commonplace components. Another recent post on X/Twitter discussed how NPCs will establish their own routines, such as eating breakfast with their families every morning. While this type of routine is found in many games, it adds an extra layer of immersion to Kingdom Come: Deliverance II's already meticulous approach.
"It's a video game first"
When it comes down to it, there will always be minor compromises. Game production isn't always linear, and while studios can focus their efforts on creating the most authentic, era-appropriate representation, there will be times when mechanics take precedence.
"It's a video game first, right?" Stolz-Zwilling inquired. "We combine authenticity and historical realism to construct the universe, quests, and conversation... However, when it comes to choosing between'make it realistic' and'make it fun', we'd rather go with the latter.
This mix of unmatched historical authenticity and fun has given Kingdom Come: Deliverance II such a strong foundation for success - and you can see the results now, a week after release, with the game officially reaching two million units.
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