# Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – New Gameplay Unveiled, But It’s the DRM Announcement That Captivated Audiences
In a recent live developer stream lasting two hours, Warhorse Studios presented fans with an in-depth preview of **Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2** (KCD2), highlighting the game’s detailed world, innovative features, and addressing a number of rumors that have circulated. This stream followed a playable demo at Gamescom in August and offered a thorough exploration of the game’s mechanics and the city of Kuttenberg, one of its central locations. However, it was not only the gameplay that drew the viewers’ attention – the revelation concerning the contentious DRM (Digital Rights Management) software, **Denuvo**, ignited significant excitement.
## No Denuvo, No DRM
One of the most significant disclosures from the stream was the announcement that **Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2** will omit **Denuvo** or any other kind of DRM. This news came from Warhorse Studios’ PR manager, **Tobias Stolz-Zwilling**, who took this chance to clarify inaccuracies circulating among fans.
During the stream, Stolz-Zwilling tackled the rumors directly, saying:
> “I see stuff flying around in the chat, stuff on the internet. And a lot of it is complete fake news. […] I can tell you the exact situation and the truth is that KCD2 will not include Denuvo or any DRM system at all.”
This choice to exclude Denuvo has been met with widespread acclaim from the gaming community. Denuvo has faced considerable criticism due to its potential adverse effects on game performance and hardware, particularly affecting **SSD hard drives**, which some argue experience diminished lifespan due to the software’s functions. Furthermore, Denuvo has been blamed for causing stuttering and various performance concerns in games, rendering it a divisive option for developers.
By opting to forgo Denuvo, Warhorse Studios aligns with other developers, such as **Bioware**, who similarly chose against DRM for their title **Dragon Age: The Veilguard**. Nevertheless, this choice may entail certain downsides. For example, the absence of DRM might result in the unavailability of **preloading** (the chance to download the game ahead of its official launch), which could be a slight inconvenience for some players.
## What Other Insights Did the Stream Offer?
While the DRM information stole the spotlight, the stream also revealed a plethora of details about the game itself. Although much of this had been presented during Gamescom, there remained thrilling new insights for fans to digest.
### 1. **Punishments by City Guards**
The stream illustrated a range of possible **punishments** that players could encounter if they break the law within the game. These consequences vary from the mildly vexing to the exceedingly harsh, including:
– **Pillory** (public humiliation)
– **Cane beatings**
– **Branding**
– **Execution**
This dedication to realism and historical fidelity is a hallmark of **Kingdom Come: Deliverance**, and it appears the sequel will uphold this standard.
### 2. **Language Barriers and Humor**
One of the funnier instances in the stream featured a scene where the protagonist, **Heinrich**, meets a German sword master who communicates in a quirky blend of German and English, colloquially referred to as **Denglish**. This leads to some entertaining dialogue, such as:
> “You must break into their fencing hall and steal their guild sword and then hang it on the town hall.”
Such whimsical humor adds an additional layer of charm to the game, showcasing that Warhorse Studios is enjoying the historical context.
### 3. **Tournaments**
Towards the conclusion of the stream, viewers were given a preview of one of the **tournaments** that will be included in the game. While this specific tournament was a straightforward bout on foot, it was suggested that tournaments in **KCD2** will be more grandiose and elaborate compared to those in its predecessor. Medieval combat enthusiasts are likely to find plenty to be excited about in this area.
### 4. **The Game Map**
The presentation also gave a peek at the game’s **map**, which, while artistically stylized, provided viewers with a solid sense of the vastness of the open world. The map seems extensive, offering ample opportunities for exploration and adventure for players.
## A Responsive World and Player Choice
A key takeaway from the stream was how **responsive** the game world is to player actions. The developers highlighted that **Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2** will empower players to influence their character and the surrounding environment through their decisions. Whether through dialogue choices or how they decide