2/16/2025
The Controversies Surrounding
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on February 4, 2025, has reignited debates over historical accuracy, representation, and the creative vision of the game's co-founder and director, Daniel Vávra. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the game has encountered significant controversy that stems from various facets of its design and story.
The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance was set in 15th-century Bohemia and faced backlash for its lack of diversity, particularly the noticeable absence of people of color and the minimal representation of women from the left-wing activists. Critics labeled this omission as a form of historical whitewashing, while the developers at Warhorse Studios defended their approach, insisting that they were striving for a historically accurate portrayal based on extensive research. Some historians supported this assertion, arguing that their interpretation reflected the data available; however, others contended that medieval Europe featured a more diverse populace than represented in the game.
In response to the criticisms levied against the first installment, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 aimed to introduce a slightly wider range of ethnicities to better align with the cosmopolitan nature of urban life in medieval times. Yet, this effort has not quelled criticism. Some have accused the developers of pandering to contemporary diversity standards, calling into question the authenticity of such choices given the period setting.
Daniel Vávra's Political Influence
Daniel Vávra has long been a polarizing figure in the gaming community, known for his support of the Gamergate movement and his vocal opposition to what he perceives as "SJW" (Social Justice Warrior) culture. His outspoken views have raised concerns about racism and sexism, particularly regarding his defense of the first game's approach to diversity. This defense, rooted in a historical perspective, was often interpreted as nationalist and exclusionary.
The announcement of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 featuring more inclusive elements has left some far-right fans calling the game "woke" and questioning the authenticity of Vávra's artistic vision. Detractors suggest that the inclusion of any diverse characters is a compromise made for commercial gain or political correctness, accentuating divisions between supporters and critics.
He further intensified the controversy with his posts on social media, where he attacked individuals defending the game. He faced criticism for his aggressive reactions to negative reviews and commentary, particularly regarding the following incidents:
One of the most contentious aspects of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the introduction of a same-sex romance option. Some players have embraced this feature as a welcome expansion of the narrative, while others argue that it detracts from the game's original focus on historical authenticity. However, it's important to note that the game does not adhere to historically accurate events.
Rumors about an "unskippable gay scene" have generated significant backlash, particularly among religious groups and in conservative areas. (*correction*) Reports indicate that the game has been removed from Playstation in Saudi Arabia due to its controversial content, however it is still available on Steam in the country. A US-based website sensationalized and misrepresented the importance of this scene, falsely claiming it contained graphic content similar to pornography, which is not accurate. Furthermore, players must make deliberate choices to access that scene.
The recent uproar was fueled by misleading claims from prominent Twitter users and a US-based website, particularly regarding the character of Sir Hans Capon. The website stated, as a matter of fact, that he was only 15 years old. Due to the lack of historical records from the 15th century, there is no accurate account of his birthdate. However, the game is set in the year before Sir Hans Capon gets married and starts having children. It is important to note that the game is a fictional story; there are no children present in the game at all, and the character is portrayed as an adult with a history of drinking, fighting, and womanizing. Despite this accusation of Hans being a 15year old being proven incorrect, the website has yet to issue a retraction, to my knowledge.
That same US-Based website also amplified the voice of a YouTuber claiming the game also features the unwilling coupling of Henry and Doubravka. There was a claim made by a YouTuber named "What The Egad" describing a scene in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II as a "humiliation ritual." Where Henry got blind drunk because of Doubravka adding Schnapps (Alcohol) to his wine. He does not remember the night before. But to sensationalize it, the YouTuber claimed Henry was drugged.
It is all sensationalism claims on social media or from specific content creators that are purposely exaggerating or focusing on particular scenes out of context to generate controversy or views, ultimately discrediting the game, the developers, and other content creators.
The gaming community is split in its response to the Kingdom Come franchise. Some players praise the series for its detailed simulation of medieval life, while others criticize or boycott it based on Vávra's statements and perceived inconsistencies in historical representation. Major media outlets, including IGN, have scrutinized the game’s approach to diversity and authenticity, further fueling the ongoing debate.
The controversies surrounding Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 reflect wider cultural discussions about the representation of historical facts in fictional video game narratives. These debates highlight the tension between creative freedom and social responsibility, as well as ongoing conversations about the ethics of game journalism, particularly concerning bad actors on Twitter/X and certain US-based websites that report false information as if it were true. Additionally, there are consumer expectations for greater diversity within the gaming industry.
In conclusion, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continues to grapple with complex issues of historical representation, the personal politics of its creators, and the dynamic expectations of its audience. As the game evolves, so too do the discussions surrounding it, positioned at the intersection of history, representation, and contemporary cultural values.
*Thank you to Tebow @MinEffortLive on X for the correction on Saudi Arabia game availability.
Although I do not review games or own this one, you can watch Vara Dark's or Hypnotic's live streams to decide if this game is for you.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on February 4, 2025, has reignited debates over historical accuracy, representation, and the creative vision of the game's co-founder and director, Daniel Vávra. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the game has encountered significant controversy that stems from various facets of its design and story.
The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance was set in 15th-century Bohemia and faced backlash for its lack of diversity, particularly the noticeable absence of people of color and the minimal representation of women from the left-wing activists. Critics labeled this omission as a form of historical whitewashing, while the developers at Warhorse Studios defended their approach, insisting that they were striving for a historically accurate portrayal based on extensive research. Some historians supported this assertion, arguing that their interpretation reflected the data available; however, others contended that medieval Europe featured a more diverse populace than represented in the game.
In response to the criticisms levied against the first installment, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 aimed to introduce a slightly wider range of ethnicities to better align with the cosmopolitan nature of urban life in medieval times. Yet, this effort has not quelled criticism. Some have accused the developers of pandering to contemporary diversity standards, calling into question the authenticity of such choices given the period setting.
Daniel Vávra's Political Influence
Daniel Vávra has long been a polarizing figure in the gaming community, known for his support of the Gamergate movement and his vocal opposition to what he perceives as "SJW" (Social Justice Warrior) culture. His outspoken views have raised concerns about racism and sexism, particularly regarding his defense of the first game's approach to diversity. This defense, rooted in a historical perspective, was often interpreted as nationalist and exclusionary.
The announcement of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 featuring more inclusive elements has left some far-right fans calling the game "woke" and questioning the authenticity of Vávra's artistic vision. Detractors suggest that the inclusion of any diverse characters is a compromise made for commercial gain or political correctness, accentuating divisions between supporters and critics.
He further intensified the controversy with his posts on social media, where he attacked individuals defending the game. He faced criticism for his aggressive reactions to negative reviews and commentary, particularly regarding the following incidents:
- He called out GamesHub for giving the game a score of 50/100, sarcastically questioning their "journalistic standards" after their review affected the game's Metacritic score.
- He labeled YouTuber Rev Says Desu a "grifter" after the content creator defended the game against claims of being "woke." This led to a public feud and further alienated some segments of the game's fanbase.
One of the most contentious aspects of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the introduction of a same-sex romance option. Some players have embraced this feature as a welcome expansion of the narrative, while others argue that it detracts from the game's original focus on historical authenticity. However, it's important to note that the game does not adhere to historically accurate events.
Rumors about an "unskippable gay scene" have generated significant backlash, particularly among religious groups and in conservative areas. (*correction*) Reports indicate that the game has been removed from Playstation in Saudi Arabia due to its controversial content, however it is still available on Steam in the country. A US-based website sensationalized and misrepresented the importance of this scene, falsely claiming it contained graphic content similar to pornography, which is not accurate. Furthermore, players must make deliberate choices to access that scene.
The recent uproar was fueled by misleading claims from prominent Twitter users and a US-based website, particularly regarding the character of Sir Hans Capon. The website stated, as a matter of fact, that he was only 15 years old. Due to the lack of historical records from the 15th century, there is no accurate account of his birthdate. However, the game is set in the year before Sir Hans Capon gets married and starts having children. It is important to note that the game is a fictional story; there are no children present in the game at all, and the character is portrayed as an adult with a history of drinking, fighting, and womanizing. Despite this accusation of Hans being a 15year old being proven incorrect, the website has yet to issue a retraction, to my knowledge.
That same US-Based website also amplified the voice of a YouTuber claiming the game also features the unwilling coupling of Henry and Doubravka. There was a claim made by a YouTuber named "What The Egad" describing a scene in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II as a "humiliation ritual." Where Henry got blind drunk because of Doubravka adding Schnapps (Alcohol) to his wine. He does not remember the night before. But to sensationalize it, the YouTuber claimed Henry was drugged.
It is all sensationalism claims on social media or from specific content creators that are purposely exaggerating or focusing on particular scenes out of context to generate controversy or views, ultimately discrediting the game, the developers, and other content creators.
The gaming community is split in its response to the Kingdom Come franchise. Some players praise the series for its detailed simulation of medieval life, while others criticize or boycott it based on Vávra's statements and perceived inconsistencies in historical representation. Major media outlets, including IGN, have scrutinized the game’s approach to diversity and authenticity, further fueling the ongoing debate.
The controversies surrounding Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 reflect wider cultural discussions about the representation of historical facts in fictional video game narratives. These debates highlight the tension between creative freedom and social responsibility, as well as ongoing conversations about the ethics of game journalism, particularly concerning bad actors on Twitter/X and certain US-based websites that report false information as if it were true. Additionally, there are consumer expectations for greater diversity within the gaming industry.
In conclusion, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continues to grapple with complex issues of historical representation, the personal politics of its creators, and the dynamic expectations of its audience. As the game evolves, so too do the discussions surrounding it, positioned at the intersection of history, representation, and contemporary cultural values.
*Thank you to Tebow @MinEffortLive on X for the correction on Saudi Arabia game availability.
Although I do not review games or own this one, you can watch Vara Dark's or Hypnotic's live streams to decide if this game is for you.
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Jay Viper Debunking the US Based websites claim of Hans being a 15year old
