Viktor Podhájecký is famous for his colorful beard styles. He was born in Prague in Czech Republic and Joined Warhorse Studios in 2015 to work as a member of the AI team on Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
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You can find a Spanish translation of this interview here.
1) How did you hear about Warhorse and how did you join?
My first time was during the Kickstarter campaign. I was impressed by the idea of an historically accurate RPG. It took some time to get the job. I graduated and started another school. I was a student of Faculty of Humanities at Charles University but games appealed to me more than the power of humanity studies. Therefore, I applied to Warhorse Studios as a junior programmer and I eventually got on board.
2) Describe your position. What is it about being a AI Programmer?
I’m a Junior AI programmer. I worked on several different tasks throughout my time here at Warhorse Studios. I started with testing because we needed to know if the AI system worked well. My kingdom consists of automated tests, automated performance profiling, some small game features, and I also contribute to some basic AI stuff e.g. system for spawning animals. Around Christmas time there was huge optimization work that was done on the AI system. I was happy that I could help with this and I tried to write some basic parts of our system.
3) Did you ever worked on Videogames before?
This is my first time working in the videogame industry. Before this, I had worked with my father on the development of measurement devices for electroanalytical chemistry. However, my most favorite job was stage hands in theatre
4) Please describe one of your colleagues or your department:
I knew him for quite a long time in college. When C# programmer was needed I wrote him and we met again here in the studio. Mr. Martin Šourek is a great guy with a big heart and he even wears borat pants!
5) What are you currently working on?
Automated profiling. We automatically run the game and measure how many FPS we can get and we also see what we should improve upon. Our department is also working on the console ports right now.
6) What do you like the most about Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
My most favorite part is the combat system. I believe it is great design and it could be a real challenge to get into and it can also be rewarding to discover how it all really works. It also looks really cool.
7) How, when and with what game did you first get acquainted with videogames?
It was Prince of Persia. We had a PC at home for as long as I can remember.
8) Which videogame character or figure is the best?
James Gastovski from Operation Flashpoint. Why? Because he is damn good!
9) Which videogame character are you?
Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Yep, Assassin Creed is my guilty pleasure. The atmosphere is awesome and the mystery behind the assassin is catchy.
10) What would a perfect game according to your wishes look like?
It could be a proper WW1 shooter. I’m really disappointed about the game design of current WW1 FPS. I would like to play a proper one with game mechanics based on reality, not just the same skin of mediocre games.
11) What game have you been really looking forward to but turned out to be a total disappointment?
Space Engineers. They earned a lot of money and it put them into another project instead of putting more time into the development of the game. They collected a lot of cash but they didn’t bother to deliver the game the way it was intended to.
12) How do you relax after a hard day at work?
Yoga, coffee or a concert. It is the best way to deal with energy deficiency.
13) Your favorite music?
I’m open minded about music. So folk, rock for chill-out. Concerts match well with stonerock. Parties deserve psytrance or techno.
14) Your favorite movie or book?
I always mention the triad. Master and Margaret Sinuhe the Egyptian Roadside picnic
15) What is your kryptonite?
Craft beer.
16) Who is your favorite historical character?
Jan Eskymo Welzl if just 10% of his story is true than he was the biggest adventurer.
17) Which is your favorite historic event?
Project Apollo. It was an insane amount of work. It takes more than 1,400 man-years of software engineering.
18) If you could say something to the fans of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, what would it be?
Keep calm and wait for the game!
Do you have any additional questions to Viktor Podhájecký? Just ask here!