Why Are There No Children in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
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The absence of children in Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) is a notable characteristic that often sparks curiosity among players. Unlike many other open-world RPGs, KCD’s 15th-century Bohemia is conspicuously devoid of youngsters running through the streets or engaging in the day-to-day life of its villages and towns. The developers at Warhorse Studios made a deliberate design choice to exclude children, and the reasoning behind this is multifaceted, primarily boiling down to concerns about realism, gameplay, and the game’s sensitive content.
The primary reason for not including children lies in the studio’s desire to maintain a sense of authenticity and avoid potential ethical issues. In a game where violence and combat are central themes, the inclusion of children would have introduced the potential for extremely disturbing and ethically problematic scenarios. Warhorse Studios wanted to avoid the possibility of players engaging in violence against children, even in a virtual world. While they could have made children invincible, they felt that would compromise the game’s realism and immersion, creating an incongruous element in an otherwise meticulously detailed world. Furthermore, the developers felt that the addition of children was not necessary for the game’s core narrative or quest structure. Children are often not essential to the types of quests and activities prevalent in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which focus on warfare, political intrigue, and the everyday challenges of medieval life.
Realism and Ethical Considerations
Violence and Immersion
The cornerstone of KCD’s appeal is its dedication to historical accuracy and realism. The developers went to great lengths to create an authentic depiction of 15th-century Bohemia. Including children in a realistic manner would mean representing them as vulnerable and often involved in the hardships of the era. This would have inevitably brought the potential for them to be victims of the violence that frequently occurs in the game, something the studio was keen to avoid. The thought of players even potentially harming children, even if accidental or in self-defense, creates a disturbing aspect that goes against the studio’s creative vision and ethical stance. Creating immortal children would also have destroyed the sense of vulnerability and realism they wanted to capture.
Avoiding Exploitation
The ethical implications of including children in a game with mature themes like combat, nudity, and sexual content were also a major consideration. The developers consciously decided to avoid any possible scenarios where children could be depicted in a way that might be deemed exploitative or inappropriate. This commitment to avoiding exploitation also extends to the game’s themes of political corruption, religious conflict, and personal vendettas, all of which are adult-centric in their complexity and impact. By intentionally excluding children, they could focus on delivering a mature and challenging experience that doesn’t risk crossing ethical boundaries.
Gameplay and Narrative Focus
Relevance to Quest Structures
The design team determined that children were not fundamentally necessary for the types of stories and missions featured in the game. KCD’s quests revolve around warfare, political intrigue, knightly duties, and the hardships of peasants. These themes are best represented by adults, whether they are soldiers, nobles, or everyday workers. Including children would have required the creation of unique quest lines and interactions, potentially diverting resources from the already complex and detailed game world.
Streamlining Development
Developing realistic AI for children, along with their animations and behaviors, would have been a massive undertaking that would not have fundamentally improved the core gameplay loop. Instead, Warhorse Studios focused their efforts on refining the already complex combat system, the open-world design, and the intricate narrative. The absence of children allowed the studio to dedicate more time and resources to areas that they deemed crucial to the game’s overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kingdom Come: Deliverance
1. Is there NSFW content in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
Yes, there is NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content, including nudity and depictions of sexual encounters. However, these scenes are not graphically detailed and are more suggestive than explicit. The nudity is considered by many to be fairly tame, with most scenes being seen from a distance or obscured.
2. Can you have sex in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
Yes, you can have sexual encounters with certain characters in the game. These encounters are usually tied to completing specific quests or interacting with certain professions, such as women of the night. These scenes are not graphic, mostly showing the man’s back.
3. Why is Kingdom Come: Deliverance so addictive?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is addictive due to several factors. Its massive open world allows for exploration and discovery, the unique and challenging combat system is rewarding once mastered, and the main character, Henry, is often considered relatable and his story compelling. The attention to detail and historical accuracy also contribute to its immersive experience.
4. Why is Kingdom Come: Deliverance banned in Australia?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance was refused classification in Australia, speculated to be due to an attempted rape scene in the A Woman’s Lot DLC. The official reasons for the ban were not provided.
5. How historically accurate is Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
The game strives for historical accuracy, particularly in its depiction of medieval life, clothing, and architecture. However, there has been criticism concerning the overwhelmingly white portrayal of 15th-century Central Europe, and the depiction of Cumans and Hungarians as cruel invaders.
6. Can you romance both Stephanie and Theresa?
Yes, you can romance both Theresa and Lady Stephanie. These are not mutually exclusive objectives, and completing their associated quests (“Courtship” for Theresa and “At Your Service, My Lady” for Lady Stephanie) will earn you specific trophies or achievements.
7. Should I let Theresa win the race?
Whether you let Theresa win the race or not doesn’t matter. It’s the experience of talking with her and enjoying the dialogue that counts. The outcome of the race does not affect the game or your relationship with her.
8. Is KCD based on a true story?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is based on real historical events. The game’s setting is 1403 Bohemia. The characters and events that occur in the game draw inspiration from the real history of that period. However, the main character Henry is entirely fictional.
9. Will there be a KCD 2?
While there was an expected KCD 2 release date in Q4 2023, there have been no official trailers or updates. Warhorse Studios has confirmed they are not in financial trouble and continue to develop new content.
10. Can you get drunk in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
Yes, you can get drunk in the game. Drinking affects Henry’s stats, providing a 50% bonus to speech and charisma while intoxicated. However, a hangover can lead to a 50% drop in those same stats.
11. Can you become a ruler in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
No, you cannot become a ruler in the game. You play as Henry, a blacksmith’s son, who becomes a soldier. While you make many important decisions, the game’s historical basis means you will not rise to become a king or any other type of ruler.
12. Can you build your own castle in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
No, you cannot build your own castle in the game. Henry remains a soldier, albeit one who plays a significant role in the events of the game. He does not take on any building or management aspects like a ruler would.
13. Can you bring Theresa to Pribyslavitz?
No, you cannot bring Theresa to Pribyslavitz. Many players have noted that they would like to have seen her reside there and set up shop, especially as she has expertise in repairing clothes. She, however, is not able to come to the town in the game.
14. What happens if you help Theresa in Kingdom Come?
Helping Theresa leads to you getting a companion as well as two trophies or achievements for saving and courting her. She plays a significant role in the early game.
15. How old is Henry in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
Henry is around 20-22 years old in the game, although he initially appears to be a teenager, however he is treated as a young adult.
The decision to exclude children from Kingdom Come: Deliverance was a carefully considered design choice, driven by ethical considerations, a desire for realism, and a need to maintain the game’s focus on mature and challenging themes. While their absence might be noticeable, the reasons behind it are rooted in the developers’ commitment to delivering an authentic and immersive experience. The FAQs above help elaborate on several other key aspects of the game, making it easier for new and existing players to understand the world and mechanics of Kingdom Come: Deliverance.