Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Warhorse Studios’ unique design approach

Warhorse Studios, the developer behind the acclaimed RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance, takes a notable approach to game design by deliberately embracing challenging gameplay. Prokop Jirsa, the new creative director, explains how this strategy sets the studio apart from other developers.

The challenges of Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is designed around the idea that difficulty is an important part of the player experience. Jirsa, who joined Warhorse Studios as a designer in 2014, says the team believes in confronting players with challenging situations. These moments of friction during play contribute to the overall satisfaction players feel when they overcome obstacles.

Unlike the common approach taken by many game developers, who try to minimize friction to make the experience smoother, Warhorse chooses to preserve it. Jirsa says this approach allows players to feel a deeper sense of achievement and satisfaction, largely because they have to work through the challenges.

Prokop Jirsa and his vision

Prokop Jirsa is Warhorse Studios’ new creative director and brings a fresh perspective to game development. Since joining in 2014, he has helped shape Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Jirsa explains that while this may mean some players are put off by the difficulty, the team is intentionally taking a different path. That could mean losing players looking for a more seamless gameplay experience, but it is a trade-off Warhorse is willing to make.

The philosophy Jirsa and his team follow emphasizes that the challenges created by design and gameplay choices are crucial to the success of their titles. It is a deliberate decision to stand out in a competitive industry.

Future projects and challenges

Warhorse Studios is currently working on its next project, which has not yet been officially announced. However, there are strong rumors that the studio is developing an RPG based on the Lord of the Rings franchise. That would be a major step for the team, which has spent years working on Kingdom Come: Deliverance and its sequel.

In addition, Warhorse has recently faced criticism over the use of generative AI in its development processes. This has raised questions about creative choices and ethics within the game industry. Despite these challenges, the team appears determined to continue its unique design philosophy and stand apart from other developers.

Warhorse Studios’ unique approach and commitment to challenging gameplay underline its place in the gaming world. Kingdom Come: Deliverance remains an example of how difficult game mechanics can create a rich and rewarding experience for players.