Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's lead gameplay designer left Warhorse to join CD Projekt Red as lead quest designer on The Witcher 4.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is widely regarded as one of the best RPGs released in the past decade, second only to The Witcher 3. One of the main similarities between Kingdom Come and The Witcher is that both have fantastical quests that are much more complex and detailed than most other RPGs.
With that in mind, expectations are high for The Witcher 4 that it will continue everything the last game did right and push other RPGs to follow suit. Currently, we know so little about The Witcher 4 that it's difficult to say where it's headed. However, things look more positive now that a senior member of Warhorse has come over to CD Projekt Red.
The Witcher 4 now has a lead quest designer who worked on the excellent Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Full circle moment in RPG
As Twitter user kaarxx_ pointed out, Karel Kolmann recently confirmed via LinkedIn that he has left Warhorse Studios and moved to CD Projekt Red to work on The Witcher 4. Kolmann worked at Warhorse for eight years, holding a variety of roles, but most notably as lead game designer on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
During his time at KCD2, Kolmann designed the game's 11 quests (including writing dialogue and cutscenes), constructed a complex criminal system, and also served as a designer on “large-scale combat and combat.” The hardcore mode was also designed and scripted by Kolmann, so it's clear he played a big role in Warhorse.
I hope The Witcher 4 has a hardcore mode similar to Kingdom Come. Just by looking at the stars you can only imagine having to find your way.
Kolmann confirmed on his LinkedIn that he is currently working as lead quest designer for The Witcher 4, which seems like a perfect fit considering his work on Kingdom Come. With Deliverance 2's quests considered one of its best aspects, things are definitely looking good for Ciri's big adventure.
