A translator involved with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 recently claimed that Warhorse Studios informed him his localization role is “obsolete” due to the studio’s shift towards AI-generated translation. Warhorse responded with a statement emphasizing that they “deeply value the people who shape our work,” but they didn’t directly deny the AI replacement allegation.
The translator revealed that he was told his position was no longer necessary. Localizing a game as complex as KCD2 involves a lot of work because it contains a vast amount of voiced and written dialogue set in 15th-century Bohemia. This requires not only language skills but also an understanding of the cultural context. Swapping that out for AI tools raises serious concerns about the quality of the output, especially for a game that prides itself on historical accuracy.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 hit the market on February 3, 2025, and has garnered 93% positive reviews from 78,152 players on Steam, making it one of the top-reviewed major RPGs in recent times. The game is priced at $59.99 on Steam and has 19,368 active players, indicating its strong commercial performance well after launch. This success complicates the narrative around the need for AI-driven cost-cutting.
Warhorse’s response, as reported by PCGamesN, is a carefully crafted corporate statement that acknowledges feelings without confirming or denying specifics. Saying “we deeply value the people who shape our work” doesn’t equate to denying the replacement of a translator with AI. The studio hasn’t provided a detailed overview of its current localization process.
This issue reflects a larger trend in the gaming industry, where studios are gradually adopting AI tools across various workflows — including writing, art, QA, and now localization — while steering clear of direct public comments about how this affects staffing. The story has reached outlets like Mashable, showing that it’s capturing attention beyond just gaming news. When a critically acclaimed game faces a labor controversy, the implications for its reputation can become quite complicated.
| Steam Review Score | 93% positive |
| Total Steam Reviews | 78,152 |
| Current Steam Price | $59.99 |
| Current Steam Players | 19,368 |
| Release Date | February 3, 2025 |
The player community has reacted strongly. One Steam reviewer noted: “The game is amazing. But firing a human with talent, with years of experience, with hopes, with dreams, a PERSON to use ‘AI’ instead of him? I won’t be buying anything from you.” This sentiment — praising the game while criticizing the labor practices — is recurring in many recent reviews, indicating that some players are willing to take a stand even for a game they enjoy.
What To Watch
- Warhorse’s follow-up statement: The studio’s current response lacks clarity. Keep an eye out for whether they provide a more specific explanation about their localization process or if they choose to remain silent.
- Steam review score movement: With negative reviews mentioning the AI controversy, watch if the 93% positive rating remains stable or begins to drop as the story gains traction.
- Industry response: Professionals in game localization and translation unions have been increasingly vocal about AI displacement. This situation might become a reference point in ongoing negotiations and public advocacy efforts.
