The concept of “realism” has been a subject of debate within the video game industry, where aspects such as historical accuracy and narrative coherence have been confused. In this context, the developers of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 have chosen to describe their project as “historically authentic,” prioritizing player immersion over precise accuracy.
A difference based on how immersive the experience is
Ondrej Bitter, one of the developers at Warhorse Studio, emphasizes that his approach is based on enhancing the immersive experience, even if this involves deviations from historical accuracy. One example he mentions refers to the posture of knights riding horses, an aspect that highlights how ergonomics and gameplay experience must prevail in certain design decisions. This philosophy has led the studio to implement significant changes in multiple areas of the video game, both for aesthetic and technical reasons.
A recent report by Game Star delves into these topics, including interviews with developers that provide valuable insights into the game’s creation process. With a duration of two hours, the documentary is recommended for game enthusiasts, who can access Spanish subtitles, although with quality limitations. It is suggested to skip to minute 42:13 for an accurate view of the design decisions that affect immersion.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continues the tradition of its predecessor, focusing not only on the historical context but also on how that environment can be adapted to create an immersive narrative. With so many elements to consider, from cultural references to the dynamics of its world, the creators find themselves in a constant search for balance between accuracy and player experience.