Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 dev on 'uncomfortable social dynamics' in 1403 Bohemia
We spoke to Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's PR manager about the game's attitudes towards women in the upcoming RPG.
21st Aug 2024 08:00
Images via Warhorse Studios
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 dev on 'uncomfortable social dynamics' in 1403 Bohemia
We spoke to Kingdom Come Deliverance 2's PR manager about the game's attitudes towards women in the upcoming RPG.
21st Aug 2024 08:00
Images via Warhorse Studios
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is shaping up to be an exciting RPG that, like its predecessor, eschews the genre's fantasy leanings for a grounded, historically accurate adventure.
During our preview, we played one section that saw our characters learning to use stealth by sneaking up on women bathing, though, and other dialogue options felt focused on presenting women as objects.
As part of our lengthier interview, we asked Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, Warhorse Studios' PR manager, how much of that is focused on historical accuracy and how the audience plays into it.
"The goal is not to cater to a male-centric audience"
"The depiction of certain behaviours and interactions in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is heavily influenced by the historical context of the time period and the diverse characters you interact with," Stolz-Zwilling explains.
"Our goal with the game is to provide an authentic and immersive experience that reflects the societal norms, attitudes, and customs of medieval Bohemia. This includes not just the grand, heroic aspects of the time, but also the more complex and sometimes uncomfortable social dynamics that existed.
"The characters of Henry and Hans Capon are designed to be multifaceted as well, with each having their own flaws and strengths. Henry for instance is more upright and honourable, while Hans has a more carefree and sometimes reckless approach to life. Their behaviours, including how they interact with others, are meant to reflect their personalities and the world they live in.
"That being said, while the narrative may include elements that are true to the period, we strive to present them in a way that doesn't alienate players. The goal is not to cater to a male-centric audience, but rather to tell a story that is true to the characters and their environment."
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 will arrive on February 11, following a delay to 2025.
About The Author
Joshua Boyles
Joshua is the Guides Editor at GGRecon. After graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Broadcast Journalism, he previously wrote for publications such as FragHero and GameByte. You can often find him diving deep into fantasy RPGs such as Skyrim and The Witcher, or tearing it up in Call of Duty and Battlefield. He's also often spotted hiking in the wilderness, usually blasting Arctic Monkeys.
