Joanna Novak, the historical consultant for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, provided a fascinating glimpse into her contributions to both games in the series, shedding light on the intricacies and compromises inherent in historical game development.
She pointed out that the game's narrative, which follows the protagonist Hendrich, strays significantly from the probable life 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 adhering strictly to historical facts. She gave the plot a mere "1 out of 10 on the realism scale," explaining the rationale behind the developers' creative decisions. The appeal of rags-to-riches narratives, where the hero ascends from humble beginnings to mingle with historical figures and achieve greatness, captivates players far more than depicting the routine life of a peasant.
In terms of world-building and environment, Warhorse Studios strived for authenticity in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. However, Novak acknowledges that they couldn't achieve perfection due to constraints such as time, budget, and the necessity to cater to modern gameplay expectations. Certain modifications were implemented to ensure historical accuracy did not compromise the gaming experience.
Despite these compromises, Novak is satisfied with the integration of numerous details appropriate to the period. Nonetheless, she cautions against labeling the game as realistic or historically accurate, as such a description could be misleading.
