Kingdom Come: Deliverance had to add complex pathfinding for just 2 NPCs that owned horses: "If you want to do this feature, you have to support it"

In the sequel to Kingdom Come: Deliverance, I’ve been captivated by the lifelike NPCs. Interestingly, it was necessary to incorporate a complex mechanism in the original game solely for the purpose of guiding two out of its 550 characters on their movements.

During an interview at GDC, Matej Marko, an AI programmer at Warhorse Studios, explained that there’s a component in NPC AI behavior trees called “Long Distance Move.” This part of the system handles longer journeys such as traveling from home to work or going to a pub.

Games such as Oblivion significantly transformed our perspective on Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Instead of being static entities or simple digital signals moving in circles, they were given routines and needs, making them more dynamic. However, this realism needed to be moderated since an excessive number of NPCs were departing cities for food gatherings, leading to their demise. While intelligent, it was a touch too smart for its own good.

In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, the game’s system wasn’t just about simulating human movement; it also considered other modes of transportation, like horses. Marko explained that certain NPCs, if they own a horse, might use it to travel to various locations. However, this feature is limited because only a few NPCs in the entire game actually have a horse. To incorporate this aspect effectively, additional support is required.

One aspect of video games I adore, but developers might find frustrating, is this: Suppose a developer suggests, “Wouldn’t it be fun if wealthy NPCs could ride horses to traverse long distances?” Now, picture the producer’s reaction when they learn that implementing this feature would require countless hours of additional coding.

This feature is quite handy, considering that horses played significant roles during medieval periods. In this game, you often find yourself on a horse, and in the sequel of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, you’ll have an added realism as you can duck under branches by looking down to avoid being knocked off your horse.

This new feature is useful because horses were crucial during medieval times, and it allows you to crouch under branches in the game so you don’t fall off your horse in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

2025-03-19 16:12

Kingdom Come: Deliverance had to add complex pathfinding for just 2 NPCs that owned horses: “If you want to do this feature, you have to support it”

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