From Chronicles to Quests: Integrating Historical Sources into the Digital Games Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Hana Pravdová, Monika Cihlářová

ABSTRACT:
This study examines how Warhorse Studios achieves a balance between historical accuracy and an engaging gaming experience in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series. The aim of the research is to identify key aspects that have managed to maintain the highest degree of verifiable authenticity in game development, reveal areas where significant compromises have been made to enhance playability, and describe how narrative design integrates the aesthetic and interactive aspects of the game world. The methodology combines selected methods of logical analysis, a qualitative method using semi-structured interviews with developers, and the study and analysis of expert sources focused on historical games. The study shows that Warhorse projects emphasize in-depth research of historical sources, from topography and urbanism to sacred buildings and ethical and cultural patterns of everyday life, with consultations with internal and external historians. At the same time, it demonstrates that certain game mechanics, such as fast travel, visual guidance of the player, and simplification of dialogues and clothing details, are necessary for smooth and intuitive interaction. By incorporating fictional stories into the gaps in historical records, the narrative design shows how factual boundaries can be preserved while offering dynamic player freedom.

KEY WORDS:
accuracy, authenticity, digital games, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, ludoforming, medievalism.

DOI:
10.34135/actaludologica.2025-8-2.60-74

HOW TO CITE:
Pravdová, H., & Cihlářová, M. (2025). From chronicles to quests: Integrating historical sources into the digital games Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Acta Ludologica, 8(2), 60–74. http://doi.org/10.34135/actaludologica.2025-8-2.60-74

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