He emphasised that his intention is to inform players about developments behind the scenes, rather than incite backlash.
A Reddit post from a Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 developer has put Warhorse Studios under scrutiny, with claims that AI is set to replace human translators. The post, shared on 28 March, has since spread across the game’s community.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Release Date: 4 February 2025
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 translator says role “made obsolete” for AI tools
On 28 March, Max Hejtmánek, who worked as a Czech-to-English translator and editor on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, shared a post on the game’s subreddit claiming he had been laid off. The developer has since confirmed that Hejtmánek authored the post.
According to Hejtmánek, the decision followed a meeting on 27 March, where he was informed that his position would be removed as part of cost-cutting measures. He wrote that management told him the role would become “obsolete” as the studio shifts towards AI tools for translation going forward.
“I primarily worked on KCD2 and its DLCs, including dialogues, quest logs, item names, and various other things,” he said, adding that most players who experienced the game in English would have encountered his work.
Hejtmánek described the decision as sudden, saying there had been “no forewarning” prior to the meeting. He explained that while discussions around AI translation had come up internally before, he did not expect it to directly affect his role in the immediate future.
In the same post, Hejtmánek said he felt “incredibly betrayed by the management” after nearly four years at the studio. He also pointed to broader concerns about the increasing use of AI in game development, stating that such changes are already impacting workers across the industry.
He noted that he had been strongly opposed to AI translation tools at the studio in the past, but did not expect that stance to affect his employment. He added that he is not seeking legal action or reinstatement, but intends to speak openly about his experience.
Hejtmánek also addressed the community response in follow-up edits, thanking players for their support, while urging them not to harass Warhorse staff or review-bomb the studio’s titles. He emphasised that his intention is to inform players about developments behind the scenes, rather than incite backlash.
Warhorse yet to respond as AI debate grows
Warhorse Studios has not issued an official statement at the time of writing. Requests for comment have been made, and the situation remains ongoing.
The claims arrive during a week of heightened attention on AI within the studio. Earlier, game director Daniel Vávra defended the use of DLSS 5 on social media, adding to the wider discussion around automation and development tools.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 launched to strong reception last year, and secured Game of the Year honours from PC Gamer. The latest developments have since shifted the focus towards how studios may approach localisation and production workflows, as AI tools become more widely used.
