Warhorse Studios made a deliberate choice to exclude children from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, not due to oversight but as a conscious decision to navigate complex ethical waters. The game's executive producer, Martin Klíma, revealed this was to prevent potential PR disasters and moral dilemmas that could arise from their inclusion in this historically accurate RPG.

Released in February 2025, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been praised for its meticulous attention to medieval realism—from food spoilage to weapon degradation. Yet, players quickly noticed the absence of children in its bustling 15th-century Bohemia, sparking discussions about the balance between historical authenticity and modern ethical standards in gaming.

Klíma explained during a Prague Comic-Con panel that while children would enhance the game's realism, their inclusion posed a no-win scenario. "If players couldn't interact violently with children, it would break immersion," he noted. "But allowing such interactions risks horrific player behavior becoming viral content." This dilemma mirrors broader industry debates about player agency versus social responsibility.

The decision reflects growing industry awareness after controversies like Fallout 2's child-killing mechanics and Cyberpunk 2077's dystopian violence. Warhorse opted for a middle ground—omitting children entirely rather than implementing restrictive systems that might feel artificial in their hardcore RPG.

Despite this omission, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has thrived, with sales quintupling its predecessor's debut. Warhorse plans to expand the experience through 2025 DLCs:

• Brushes with Death (Summer 2025): New combat-focused quests
• Legacy of the Forge (Fall 2025): Blacksmithing and weapon-crafting expansion
• Mysteria Ecclesiae (Winter 2025): Church-centered mystery storyline

April's Hardcore Mode update further cemented the game's reputation for brutal realism, removing fast travel and forcing permanent debuffs. Meanwhile, actor Luke Dale (Hans Capon) has already pitched sequel ideas, though Warhorse remains focused on delivering promised DLC first.

This careful approach to controversial elements hasn't diminished the game's acclaim. Instead, it highlights how modern RPG developers must weigh historical fidelity against contemporary values—a challenge Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 navigates with thought-provoking results.