Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Translator Replaced by AI Amid Cost-Cutting Measures

Warhorse Studios has sparked controversy in the gaming industry by replacing its English translator for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 with artificial intelligence, resulting in the sudden termination of a four-year veteran employee. The move, described as a cost-cutting measure, has raised questions about the growing role of AI in creative industries and the value placed on human expertise.

Max Hejtmanek, who served as the Czech-to-English translator and editor for Warhorse Studios, learned of his termination on March 27, 2026, during an unexpected meeting with management. According to Hejtmanek, he was informed that his position would become "obsolete" as the company transitioned to AI-powered translations to improve efficiency and reduce expenses.

In a detailed post on the Kingdom Come subreddit, Hejtmanek shared his experience, stating: "Yesterday, March 27, 2026, with no forewarning, I was invited to a meeting and promptly told that, in an effort to 'make the company more effective' and 'save finances', as of next month, my position at the company would become 'obsolete' in favor of using AI for all translations going forward."

Hejtmanek's role encompassed far more than simple translation work. He was responsible for crafting the English version of virtually every aspect of the game, including dialogue trees that shaped character outcomes, quest logs that guided players through the story, item descriptions, and even promotional materials. "Simply put, if you've ever played KCD2 in English, you've quite likely seen my work," he explained.

The translator expressed deep disappointment and feelings of betrayal, particularly given his opposition to AI translation in the past. He had consistently argued that human nuance was essential for a story-driven game like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, where narrative depth and character development are central to the experience.

"This came as a huge shock to me," Hejtmanek wrote. "I naively thought that my work at WHS was valued enough that I might not be at immediate risk. I feel incredibly betrayed by the management of the company I've come to care about greatly these past almost 4 years, and am heartbroken I won't get to see my friends and colleagues at the office every day."

Despite his personal feelings about the decision, Hejtmanek has asked fans not to harass developers or engage in review bombing of the game. He emphasized that the growing use of AI affects many people across the games industry and beyond, stating: "I thought you should know how much the company that makes the games you love values the work of their employees, not to mention the environment."

The incident highlights a broader trend in the gaming industry, where companies are increasingly turning to AI solutions to reduce costs and streamline production processes. While AI translation tools have made significant advances in recent years, many professionals argue that they still lack the cultural understanding, contextual awareness, and creative nuance that human translators bring to complex narrative projects.

Warhorse Studios and its publisher have not yet commented on the matter, leaving questions about the quality of AI-generated translations for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and future projects unanswered. The decision also raises concerns about the long-term implications for creative professionals in the gaming industry as AI technology continues to advance.

For fans of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the news serves as a reminder of the human element behind their favorite games and the potential consequences of prioritizing cost efficiency over creative expertise. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the balance between technological innovation and human craftsmanship remains a contentious and increasingly relevant topic.