Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Developer Fired and Replaced by AI for Localization
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A former Warhorse Studios translator claims they were fired and replaced by AI for all localization work on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, sparking fresh debate over automation in game development.
Max Hejtmánek, a Czech-to-English translator and editor who worked on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, took to Reddit to share that he was let go by Warhorse Studios and replaced by artificial intelligence for all future localization work. According to Hejtmánek, the studio called a sudden meeting to inform him that his role was obsolete as part of a push for financial efficiency. He stated that the pivot came as a total shock, especially given his prior vocal opposition to using generative tools for translation. Moderators on the platform verified his identity, confirming his tenure at the studio from July 2022 through March 2026.
This development highlights a growing and contentious fault line in the games industry regarding the use of generative AI in creative workflows. While studios often pitch these tools as efficiency gains, players and industry professionals frequently push back against the displacement of human talent, particularly in writing, narrative design, and localization. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 launched to major critical acclaim in early 2025 and earned nominations at The Game Awards, making the news sting all the more for fans who valued the game's rich storytelling and localized nuance.
Neither Warhorse Studios nor publisher Plaion has issued an official public statement addressing the claims at this time. The situation arrives alongside broader industry friction concerning automated tools, including recent community backlash faced by other titles utilizing generative assets. As digital economies, development pipelines, and studio priorities continue to shift, the debate over where to draw the line with automation remains a central concern for players invested in the human element behind their favorite virtual worlds.
Originally reported by Tomas Franzese at Polygon.
Tags: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Warhorse Studios, Industry News, Generative AI, Game Development
Original article: Polygon