For several years, fans of Kingdom Come: Deliverance have been asking the same question: “When will Warhorse Studios update the original game for modern consoles?” Now, after a sudden and cryptic tease from the developers, that question may finally be inching toward an answer. A simple emoji has set the hardcore RPG community ablaze with speculation, signaling that the studio might be preparing a long‑awaited current‑gen upgrade for its beloved 2018 title.
The discussion reignited after Warhorse Studios responded to a fan request for a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S update with a sly side‑eye emoji—an answer that, on its own, carries more weight than any official announcement could. Although the studio didn’t confirm anything outright, the timing of the response, along with recent rumors, has many believing that a major upgrade may already be deep in development.
This is particularly noteworthy because it is the first time Warhorse has ever acknowledged the idea publicly. While leaks and insider claims have circulated for months, the studio itself has stayed quiet—until now. Earlier this year, a well‑known insider with a reliable track record on Kingdom Come news claimed that the original game was scheduled to receive its next‑gen patch sometime between January and April of next year. According to that source, the upgrade was “100% confirmed” internally. Fans treated it as speculation then, but the latest emoji tease has given those earlier whispers a second life.
The chain reaction continued when two Twitter users were discussing classic RPGs such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. One user expressed confusion that Warhorse had not yet delivered a modern patch or even a simple 60 FPS update for the first game—especially after the immense success of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Another fan chimed in, “Maybe it’s still on the way?” Moments later, the official Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 account appeared with the now‑legendary side‑eye emoji. It was subtle, but unmistakably intentional. With one small gesture, Warhorse lit a fire under the entire fanbase.
If the rumored update truly exists, there is no better event for a reveal than The Game Awards, which is set to take place on December 11. Warhorse has a habit of making announcements at major industry events, and with the sequel nominated for Game of the Year, the studio already has a spotlight on them. Teasing an update just days before the show feels strategic—almost too perfectly timed to be accidental. Even without confirmation, fans can’t help but wonder whether Warhorse is preparing to relaunch the 2018 game with modern enhancements.
Speculation about what a next‑gen update could include has run wild. At minimum, players expect a 60 FPS mode on both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, along with higher‑quality textures, improved global illumination, and better lighting across the world of Bohemia. Many fans are also hoping that Warhorse will incorporate mechanical improvements from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, particularly the significantly refined combat system. While full gameplay overhauls may be unlikely, certain elements—like smoother animations, cleaner directional attacks, or updated controls—could realistically be carried over.
What makes this potential upgrade so appealing is the timing. Warhorse has wrapped up the final DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, signaling the end of Henry’s second chapter. With the sequel’s story now complete, the studio has the bandwidth to revisit the first game. This creates the perfect opportunity for fans who played the newer game but missed the original to experience the beginning of Henry’s journey in a fully modernized form. Many players jumped directly into the sequel because of its popularity, and Warhorse is well aware that an improved version of the first game could bridge the gap for newcomers.
The sequel’s success also creates new incentives. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has become one of the standout RPG releases of the year and is currently in the running for Game of the Year. With so much attention on the franchise, resurrecting the original with a modern upgrade makes both creative and commercial sense. It would give long‑time fans a reason to revisit Bohemia and allow new players to experience the roots of the franchise with improved visuals and performance.
Of course, fans must remain cautious. Nothing has been confirmed, and rumors can spiral out of proportion quickly. A side‑eye emoji doesn’t guarantee a release window, a feature list, or even a full patch. But Warhorse has never teased an upgrade before, and the timing—right after the final DLC for the sequel and right before The Game Awards—feels far too convenient to ignore.
If the update is real, it would mark a major moment for one of the most underrated RPGs of the last decade. Kingdom Come: Deliverance gained a reputation for its historical authenticity and punishing realism, but its technical limitations on last‑gen hardware held it back. A next‑gen upgrade could finally allow the game to shine the way it was always intended.
For now, fans wait. But with the biggest gaming event of the year around the corner and Warhorse suddenly dropping hints, the community is buzzing with anticipation. If the stars align, Kingdom Come: Deliverance may finally return—stronger, smoother, and more modern than ever.
