Much like its upcoming sequel, the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance is rooted in the early 15th-century Kingdom of Bohemia. While this setting now feels synonymous with the franchise, developer Warhorse Studios did briefly explore other historical backdrops—though they ultimately proved too resource-intensive to realize.
Among the top contenders were medieval Germany and the iconic era of Robin Hood’s England. Both regions represent enticing prospects for a historical action-RPG, particularly one that prioritizes grounded realism. However, Warhorse’s uncompromising dedication to authenticity meant that a shift in locale would have required a monumental effort that the team wasn’t ready to undertake.
“In my view, the most vital aspect of the design is ensuring the player feels truly present, with every system serving to reinforce that immersion. The world must be reactive; whatever you do, the environment should respond accordingly,” Viktor Bocan, Design Director at Warhorse Studios, explained in a recent interview with Edge magazine.
“Our commitment to history isn’t just about reconstruction for its own sake,” Bocan continued. “We pursue accuracy because when it’s done right, the world becomes inherently believable.” This pursuit of “verisimilitude”—the appearance of being true or real—is what drives the studio’s meticulous attention to detail.
To achieve this level of precision, Warhorse relies on a rigorous research process. The studio employs an in-house historian, Joanna Nowak, who coordinates with local archives, academic institutions, and clergy to construct an accurate snapshot of life centuries ago. This process was naturally streamlined by the studio’s location in Prague; as the capital of the Czech Republic, they had direct access to the very history the Kingdom of Bohemia left behind.
Moving the project to England or Germany would have forced the developers to start from scratch. As Bocan admitted, the team simply “knew nothing” about those specific eras compared to their own regional heritage. By choosing to build their game on a foundation they understood intimately, Warhorse ensured the original title’s lasting impact.
Interestingly, Warhorse previously noted that they had to soften the historical accuracy of the crime system for gameplay reasons, as the actual punishments for a “peasant boy” like Henry in the 1400s would have been far too brutal for players to endure.
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Source: gamesradar.com
