Kingdom Come AMA Flooded With AI Questions
▼ Summary
– In March, Warhorse Studios’ English editor Max Hejtmánek announced his role was made obsolete in favor of AI for translations.
– During a Reddit AMA, Warhorse Studios faced heavy criticism over accusations of replacing staff with AI, with most questions focusing on Hejtmánek’s claims.
– Creative director Prokop Jirsa responded to one question by stating the studio is currently hiring human translators.
– Warhorse’s official statement in the AMA said AI is not a substitute for human work and is not used in final game content.
– The article notes the negative response was predictable, as gaming communities on Reddit strongly oppose AI-generated content.
Back in March, Kotaku broke the story that Max Hejtmánek, the English editor and voiceover director for Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, had announced on Reddit that his position was eliminated “in favor of using AI for all translations going forward.” As the old saying goes, an elephant never forgets,and apparently, neither do Warhorse fans. The studio spent much of yesterday’s Reddit AMA defending itself against a barrage of accusations about replacing staff with artificial intelligence.
According to IGN, the AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on the r/gaming subreddit turned into a public relations nightmare for Warhorse Studios. Five of the studio’s top executives participated, including creative directors Viktor Bocan and Prokop Jirsa, but the vast majority of questions zeroed in on Hejtmánek’s March claims. Many cheeky inquiries went unanswered, such as one asking whether the studio planned to use a “Gemini premium subscription” for future translations. However, the team did address some of them. When a user asked, “I always dreamt of working as a translator for Warhorse Studios, do you think I have a chance?” Jirsa replied, “Definitely. We are currently in the process of hiring new translators. Yes, actual humans. Plural.”
This response stands in stark contrast to the official statement Kotaku received from Warhorse on March 30. Back then, a studio spokesperson said, “Warhorse Studios has always been a talent-driven studio, and we deeply value the people who shape our work. Out of respect for the privacy and dignity of both current and former colleagues, we will not discuss individual situations publicly.”
The AMA’s derailment clearly weighed on the developers. A moderator for r/gaming stepped in to post a locked comment containing an official statement from the team: “We hear you and your concerns. Hopefully this explains the situation a bit. We do not see AI as a substitute for human work, and we are currently looking to expand the company, including our translation team. Some team members find AI useful during early stages of production. However, we do not use AI-generated content in the final game and we have no plans to change this in the future.”
Frankly, I’m surprised Warhorse Studios didn’t anticipate this backlash. The sentiment toward AI-generated content varies wildly across online communities, but few hate it more than Reddit’s gaming circles. On the bright side, the negative reaction to using AI slop in games might serve as a much-needed wake-up call for the studio.
(Source: Kotaku)
