Joanna Novak, the historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, recently shared her experiences working on both games in the series, shedding light on the challenges and compromises inherent in historical game development. She pointed out that the narrative, which follows the protagonist Hendrich, diverges significantly from the likely experiences of a blacksmith's son during that historical period.
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Novak emphasized that the storyline leans more towards the realm of legend and folklore rather than historical accuracy. She rated the plot's realism at a mere "1 out of 10," explaining that the developers made these choices to cater to player preferences. Audiences are often more captivated by epic rags-to-riches tales where the protagonist ascends through societal ranks, mingles with historical figures, and achieves extraordinary feats, rather than depicting the everyday life of a peasant.
In terms of world-building and environment, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. However, Novak noted that they couldn't achieve perfection due to constraints such as time, budget, and the need to balance historical accuracy with engaging gameplay. Some modifications were necessary to meet modern player expectations, ensuring that historical fidelity did not compromise the game's enjoyment.
Despite these compromises, Novak expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of numerous period-appropriate details. Nevertheless, she cautioned against labeling the game as realistic or historically accurate, as this would be misleading to players.
