You had a lot of very interesting questions for our Historical Consultant Joanna “Asia” Nowak and she took her time to answer them all, take a look:
Hi Snejdarek, I wish I could answer your question, but I fear not many Poles are interested in this matter. So I cannot provide you a general view. But, of course academics are comparing some theories and discoveries between Poland and the Czech lands, especially during middle ages. So far, thanks to Andrzej Sapkowski and his Hussite’s trilogy there is paid more attention to this topic. I doubt however, that there is some deeper understanding in these events, just some curiosity.
Czech Republic consisting of 90% (really? Percentage based on…?) atheists does not have an influence on everlasting love Poles declare towards Czechs.
HI Sigmund, Because I had it as an obligatory, extra classes in my high school years and while having ca.40h a week of all, it was hard to make debate at 3 pm., after 7 hours of lessons… I have started learning this at wrong time
Thanks to wonderful digitalization of many medieval source materials, I can read many of them, while staying in the office. Usually, the information, required from other departments, has to be delivered immediately, so I cannot do a typical, individual research with visit in some archives.
It is very easy. In Prague there are wonderful libraries, institutes and researchers willing to share these materials with me. Also, as I have mentioned above, many documents are already digitalized and access is for free.
I like the cathedral in Aachen (Germany) and Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Andrew in Frombork (Poland).
No problem, I even clearly want to underline it that I am not a historian. I studied preservation of old architecture, which included gaining knowledge in architecture, building engineering, historical studies, art history studies, technical and computer graphic, philosophy, elements of museology and many, many more. Additionally, I have mgr (M.A.) in Art History.
Of course studying history (esp. European) profoundly, is unavoidable for good understanding of art, especially the matters of preservation and conservation of architecture.
Hi Waldkauz, for me personally, neither Wenceslaus nor Sigismund is a favourite one.
Sigismund is claimed to be known as more successful one. In the matter of political achievements etc.
Last year, there were wonderful exhibitions and events connected with celebration of anniversary of Charles’s IV birthday and coronation. It happened to be an ignition for presenting some historical aspects of life at that time and Luxembourg family. I definitely recommend studying the catalogues and publications, which were published in relation to these projects. Anyway, many publications have appeared in recent years, but of course most of them are in Czech.
If you wish to have some tips, please send us an email and I will provide you some titles.
Regarding introduction of the political matters in KCD…heh… It will be Dan Vavra’s point of view, based on historical facts, but with his own interpretations.
If some things stay unexplained, we will try to extend that in our Codex.
Hi, I laughed a bit, when I read your questions, because, even if I wished it hard, allllllll NPC and main characters are designed by Designers, especially by Dan. I have tried to provide some details regarding historical figures, but I am not sure, if they have influenced Dan’s image, already painted in his head
However, I admit, that often we have discussed the script, the way somebody acts, how he looks. Just not always the historical accuracy was interesting and easy enough to be used in Kingdom Come Deliverance.
So, like with everything in our game, we made some compromises. Sometimes my advices were taken, sometimes not, other time they were modified… I think, in some cases it is great, that designers made things all up. I can even bet, that you will not be able to find out all their manipulations – they are so fancy.
Hi Scott2978, I usually start with checking our database, where we have millions of GB of books, researches, articles and visual materials. The latest ones do have a higher value, but I do not underestimate some remarks from older materials. I build an opinion and also go through online archives, libraries and portals like jstore or academia.edu, papers from Czech Universities or information from people I know, from years of experience, they are specialists in some fields of expertise. If I still have a doubt, I write directly to someone, compare, compare and compare. Then I have to make a decision.
I love old German encylopedias and literature from the 19th century, especially regarding studying the medieval remains (not yet changed into neogothic legends etc.). They also include information, which might have been lost later during the first and and second worldwar. This is very helpful in finding some more details regarding some architecture, political relations and customs. And language!
I never believe one source, so there have to be at least few regarding one topic, even if some are taken from e.g. priest or some medievist-amateur.
Still I do not believe anyone, because as I have already written in my Weekly Torch interview – all is someone’s interpretation
Hi RailBalco, yes I had to browse a lot of medieval books, letters and documents. What exactly we will have in KCD to read – let it be a surprise for you!
We are working on it
I do respect Vlastimil Vondruska as an author of very successful books, but he is very well juggling with information, to make it more interesting for a reader. I think he knows much more that what he has to reveal or serve to the public
I like running through the forest. Here and there.
Hi, I will have a look what we got. Send us your email, so I can share more details.
Hi, well the list would be pretty long as I use Czech, English, French, German and Polish books mainly, so please send us your email and I will provide it to you in separate email.
Oh yes, a lot of things. I loved to read about dyeing and textile in general and find all the substances they used for getting a colours, they even could not named!
Moreover, the history of the camel in Plzen’s coat of arms was interesting to me, because it has got a Polish accent.
Then facts about the bodies of the Luxembourg family, of the life in a monastery (secret details from Sasau!), of customs and preys during the year, attitude towards animals… I also extended my knowledge regarding each craft – from the baker to a tanner, how the executioner’s job was different for what we believe in… Really, countless information. Especially when you, fans, are writing to us, that something was or was not, I always dig in the subject and mostly have some new arguments to the discussion etc.etc.
No, I will never agree to do so. I am searching information about everything for the game, commercial purpose. This means I cannot give one thing, aspect, subject a proper amount of time. I do my own researches and I know how many years of work it requires to establish enough material and arguments to proof or suggest some thesis. Repeating – true or speculation – from another is the worst what people can do in academic society. And I read many articles and documents, that literally copy someone’s else work. I despise this kind of action.
But if I am going to work on some specific subject for longer time and truly find something new or in contradiction to current state of research, I will think about a publication of an article.
It is impossible to embrace all the sources and I guess pointless.
_No, we cannot hire a group of archaeologists and academics to organise and do years long research. _
This is a job for some professional institutions and universities.
There will be scabbards and straps, no worries
IMHO, of course I would make some other decisions regarding accuracy of few things, aspects in the game. But it this is a game made by more than 100 of people. A result of collective effort to bring something new to live. Those, who made their choices had enough struggles and there will always be someone, who will disagree with us. There are no fixed: equations or recipes or requirements to make one and only good decision. So please, be tolerant and understanding. It is very challenging to make each step in developing this game.
Hello Cr4aydave, no, unfortunately we could not include these in our game due to time limit and technical issues.
Hi Vojtroslav, well Henry is not my favourite one. My favourite character is actually a historical figure, a very talented…. Engineer Hope you will like it too!