Kingdom Come: Deliverance Team Explored Robin Hood’s England and Medieval Germany, But Lacked Historical Knowledge

Set in the Kingdom of Bohemia during the early 1400s, Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a rich historical backdrop that enhances its immersive experience. While developer Warhorse Studios considered other settings, such as medieval Germany or the Robin Hood era in England, these alternatives proved too complex to implement effectively.

Both Germany and England presented intriguing possibilities for a detailed action-RPG focused on historical realism. However, Warhorse’s commitment to authenticity made it clear that shifting the setting for the protagonist, Henry, would not be as beneficial.

Viktor Bocan, the design director at Warhorse Studios, emphasizes the importance of immersion in their design philosophy. “The most important part of the design is that you really feel you are there, and all the systems are there to support that. You can do anything to the world, and the world should react,” he explains.

Bocan further elaborates that the historical elements are not merely for the sake of accuracy; they aim to create a believable experience. The concept of “verisimilitude” is central to their approach, striving to replicate historical details as faithfully as possible.

Achieving this level of authenticity requires extensive research, which is supported by their in-house historian, Joanna Nowak. She explores various local sources, including clergy and universities, to provide a comprehensive understanding of life in that era. Being based in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic—where the Kingdom of Bohemia once thrived—has facilitated this research.

If Warhorse had opted for a setting in England or Germany, they would have faced a steep learning curve, as Bocan notes they “knew nothing” about those regions. Instead, the studio chose to build upon a solid foundation, and this decision has clearly paid off.

However, Warhorse did have to compromise on historical accuracy regarding the crime system in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, as it would have been “too harsh” for Henry, a “peasant boy.” In reality, any crime would have resulted in severe punishment.