YouTuber Rev Says Desu Ratioed Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Director After Being Called a Grifter

This week, Daniel Vávra caused a stir by labeling a well-known YouTube personality as a “deceiver.

The debates about Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 have unexpectedly escalated into a public dispute between Warhorse Studios’ co-owner Daniel Vávra and well-known YouTuber Rev Says Desu. Interestingly, this disagreement started from a video where Rev supported the game against allegations of being woke, but Vávra’s forceful reaction has only intensified the negative feedback.

Vávra’s Misstep

The story began when developer Rev shared a video in response to allegations about canceled preorders for the upcoming game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, as well as criticisms that it had become “woke” due to the inclusion of optional same-sex romance scenes and diverse NPCs. The video aimed to justify the game’s historical accuracy and voluntary romance features while addressing the public’s worries about the studio dealing with contentious issues.

The title of the video was “Backlash from ‘Woke’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Pre-orders Leads to Mass Refunds Due to Loss of Developer Trust.

It seems that was all Vávra managed to gather from the video. Interestingly, despite Rev’s calm demeanor in their conversation, Vávra took to social media to criticize him harshly, calling him a “grifter” and discrediting his statements as exaggerated.

Instead of labeling someone a con artist: A deceitful individual, no. The decrease in pre-orders isn’t due to backlash. The number of sold versus returned items remains unchanged. It seems that the initial excitement generated by the preview has naturally diminished, and nine heavily discounted games have also entered the rankings. Monster Hunter has also experienced a decline for the same reason.

— Daniel Vávra ⚔ (@DanielVavra) January 20, 2025

Another swindler, no. Our pre-orders haven’t decreased due to backlash.” Instead, he explained, “The number of sold or returned copies remains the same. The decline is likely because the initial hype from previews has lessened and nine heavily discounted games have become popular. Even Monster Hunter has seen a drop in sales for the same reason.

In response to criticisms, Rev, who’s renowned for his impartial stance on gaming disputes, retorted in a professional manner, highlighting the humor in being accused while defending the very game he was being criticized for.

Rev found it astonishing when Vávra called him a “grifter” after he defended the game in a video, especially since others were labeling it as “woke.

He additionally pointed out that the topic of preorder cancellations was being extensively debated among various platforms, and humorously remarked, “Interestingly enough, it seems that more individuals are now cancelling their pre-orders due to the posts criticizing me.

Successfully, Rev outperformed the co-owner of Warhorse Studios by receiving more ‘likes’ on his response than the initial post received.

Instead of backing down, Vávra doubled down, accusing Rev of using clickbait tactics.

I lack the data about preorder cancellations that you seem to possess. Instead, I base my views on personal observations. In my recent video, I demonstrated the widespread cancellation of preorders across platforms like Twitter, Steam, and others due to various reasons.

— Rev says I love my wife (@Rev_says_desu) January 20, 2025

Vávra suggested avoiding phrases like ‘massive exodus’ in titles for clarity, even though he didn’t actually use the term.

Rev quickly clarified the situation.

He said he didn’t employ that specific expression. Instead, he admitted he doesn’t possess the data for preorder cancellations. He formed his opinion based on personal observations and presented evidence in his video showing numerous individuals cancelling their preorders due to various reasons (some even deemed unreasonable). Interestingly, more people have since announced they’ve cancelled their preorders following posts criticizing him. Despite the recent influx of criticism you’re facing, he clarified that he wasn’t one of those criticizing. He considered it a mistake.

In the heated exchange between us, my composed demeanor seemed to stand out like a beacon against Vávra’s aggressive stance, only serving to highlight his questionable professionalism in the eyes of the spectators. (As a film enthusiast, I find it fascinating how the dynamics of dialogue can shape perceptions.)

Rev summed up his thoughts in a follow up video on his channel with an accompanying post on X.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I found myself in an unfortunate situation where I had a disagreement with the creative director of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. This altercation ensued not because he watched or understood my video, but rather due to his decision to cancel me based on unfounded rumors about my game being “woke.” Initially, I stood up for him against these baseless claims. However, instead of appreciating this support, he chose to undermine our relationship by distancing himself from me in an attempt to court a certain group that I perceive as peculiar or eccentric.

Fallout Among Content Creators

The assertive style taken by Vávra has ignited strong criticism from content creators who had initially backed the idea of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, with notable figures such as SmashJT, Vara Dark, and Grummz expressing their disapproval.

These game creators, renowned for championing creative liberty within gaming, have recently spoken out against Vávra, citing his actions as a cause for fan disenchantment and mismanagement of the situation.

SmashJT criticized the situation bluntly.

The recent public disagreement has further fueled the ongoing debate, causing an increasing number of players to withdraw their preorders due to Vávra’s actions. Originally, I didn’t usually preorder games, but this one was on my list. However, after these events, it’s not something I’m keen on anymore… For a studio trying to generate positive sentiment and excitement for its game, such an action turned out to be incredibly far-sighted.

Vara Dark’s full statement offered a detailed critique of Vávra’s actions.

Within a brief span of time, Vavra shifted his stance from “Companies are foolishly targeting their own players, which is absurd” to “I intend to retaliate against players.” Skipping the phrase “Another grifter” would not have altered his main argument significantly.

I’ve defended KC2 (and gave Vavra the benefit of the doubt) because I think…

— Vara Dark (@Vara_Dark) January 20, 2025

Within a short span of time, Vávra transformed from expressing disapproval towards companies exploiting players as unwise, to announcing his intention to do the same. She noted that he could have omitted the term ‘Another grifter’ and still conveyed his message effectively. I’ve supported KC2 (and even gave Vávra the leeway for artistic freedom) because I value its importance. I don’t necessarily need to concur with every decision made, as long as 95% of it is exceptional. Elden Ring is one of the best games I’ve ever played, but I disagree with the Body Type A/B aspect, for instance. Even games like Concord and Dustborn I have always maintained can coexist, but they should be open to criticism. However, this behavior is incredibly foolish. Responding aggressively towards potential customers as if provoked by a Community Manager isn’t a positive image.

Which part of @Rev_says_desu headline was untrue?

— Grummz (@Grummz) January 20, 2025

Mark Kern, previously known as Grummz and a former leader at World of Warcraft, chimed in on the criticism, challenging Vávra’s claims of exaggeration by pointing out the video title and asking, “Where exactly does it lie that this statement is false?

Amplified Backlash

Instead of lessening the dispute, Vávra’s public argument with Rev has instead intensified it. Gamers who were contemplating purchasing the game, such as Smash JT, are now canceling their pre-orders, attributing their decision to Vávra’s behavior as the final straw. An initial defense of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has morphed into a public relations crisis for Warhorse Studios, with Vávra’s actions eroding the studio’s reputation and credibility.

As a passionate filmgoer, I must express my concerns about the current situation surrounding the development of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Despite its promising elements and commitment to historical accuracy, the recent events surrounding the project threaten to overshadow these very qualities. The studio’s emphasis on player choice has garnered praise, but unfortunately, the spotlight has been shifted towards unnecessary drama.

To maintain their reputation and regain trust within the gaming community, Warhorse Studios must prioritize open communication and professional engagement with their audience. It is crucial to address concerns promptly and maintain a positive dialogue during the development process. Moreover, it would be prudent for the team’s lead, Vávra, to exercise restraint in his choice of words, especially when engaging with those who are attempting to defend him or support the project. A more diplomatic approach could help minimize distractions and maintain focus on the game’s development.

Vávra’s conflict with Rev was entirely preventable. By attacking a content creator who was actually defending the game, he unintentionally stirred up more drama and distanced both fans and creators. The gaming community’s reaction has been unequivocal: they expect respect and professionalism, not aggression.

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2025-01-21 18:55