Kingdom Come: Deliverance Dev Calls Out RPGs ‘for Teenagers’ That Just Focus on ‘Power Fantasy’
Martin Klima, co-founder of Warhorse Studios, has expressed frustration with a dominant design philosophy in modern RPGs. In an interview with PC Gamer, Klima stated he is “bored and tired” of role-playing games that prioritize “power fantasy” mechanics and cater primarily to teenage audiences.
The developer took particular issue with a common narrative trope: positioning the player character as “the chosen one.” Rather than presenting players with this archetypal power fantasy setup, Klima’s studio has opted for a different approach with Kingdom Come: Deliverance, their acclaimed historical RPG set in medieval Bohemia.
The criticism reflects Warhorse Studios’ design philosophy for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which has been praised by critics and players for its unconventional approach to the RPG genre. Instead of granting players superhuman abilities or a destiny-driven narrative, the game emphasizes immersion, historical authenticity, and grounded character progression.
Klima’s comments suggest that the studio’s deviation from mainstream RPG conventions is intentional rather than accidental. The game has carved out a distinct identity by focusing on realistic mechanics, meaningful consequences, and a more subdued protagonist rather than the archetypal hero’s journey common in many modern RPGs.
This perspective represents a growing conversation within the gaming industry about RPG design trends and whether the genre has become too focused on escapist power fantasies at the expense of deeper, more varied narrative and mechanical experiences.