From Kingdom Come to Pixel Art: Brothers Create Retro RPG Scribe

Mikuláš Podprocký, formerly art director at Warhorse Studios – the team behind the acclaimed medieval RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance and its sequel – has traded large-scale game development for a more intimate project. Alongside his brother Tomáš, he’s launched Rawmeat studio and is currently developing Scribe RPG, a retro-inspired role-playing game built entirely with hand-crafted pixel art. This shift represents a deliberate move away from the demands of AAA game production towards creative freedom and a return to the aesthetic sensibilities of classic titles like Another World and Monkey Island.

Podprocký’s previous function includes contributions to the Mafia series, before his significant role at Warhorse Studios. His responsibilities at Warhorse extended beyond the game world itself, encompassing even the visual design of elements like beer bottle labels, as noted by Warhorse Studios on Facebook. However, he and his brother are now focused on a distinctly different vision with Scribe RPG.

A Nostalgic Aesthetic Built on Modern Tools

Scribe RPG isn’t simply an attempt to replicate the seem of older games; it’s a reimagining of that aesthetic with the benefit of modern development capabilities. “We wanted to create a game that evokes the atmosphere of the golden age of video games,” explains Podprocký. The game draws inspiration from titles like Another World, Monkey Island, Flashback, and Shadow of the Beast – games that defined a generation of players. These early titles, often constrained by the limitations of hardware like the ZX Spectrum and Amiga, fostered a unique style of gameplay and visual storytelling.

The developers acknowledge those limitations, stating that the games of that era were “incredibly limited” due to the technology available. However, Scribe RPG leverages contemporary tools to overcome those constraints, allowing for richer gameplay and more expansive environments. “Today, One can afford practically anything and add options and gameplay that were not feasible at the time,” Podprocký notes. The pixel art style, while evoking nostalgia, is also a pragmatic choice. According to Podprocký, creating a fully animated character in their style takes only a day, a stark contrast to the weeks it would take in 3D.

Kickstarter Setback and Continued Development

The initial attempt to secure funding for Scribe RPG through Kickstarter proved unsuccessful. The Rawmeat studio sought approximately one million Czech crowns (roughly equivalent to $40,000 USD as of March 4, 2026) but raised less than a third of that amount. Despite this setback, the brothers persevered, continuing development in their spare time. Tomáš Podprocký currently leads a team of testers for Porsche, while Mikuláš works as a freelance artist, even earning recognition with a Muriel award for his comic work.

“We didn’t allow ourselves to consider stopping,” Mikuláš explains. They deliberately adopted a slow pace of development, avoiding the pressures of a publisher to maintain a sustainable and enjoyable workflow. The release of a demo on Steam demonstrates their commitment and the progress made despite the funding challenges. The demo offers a glimpse into a game that expands significantly beyond its retro inspirations, blending RPG elements with platforming, puzzle-solving, and a narrative centered around a world where books are forbidden.

Targeting a Core Audience

Scribe RPG appears to be aimed at a specific demographic: “relatively hardcore players over the age of thirty with a fondness for single-player games,” according to Tomáš Podprocký. The game’s blend of genres and its pixelated aesthetic suggest a deliberate appeal to players who grew up with the classic titles that inspired it. The game’s narrative, revolving around a “scribe” – a writer – in a world where literacy is suppressed, adds a layer of thematic depth.

Warhorse Studios, the creator of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, has seen significant success, with the game selling over 10 million copies worldwide, and the sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, garnering awards at the Algerian Game Awards and the UGA 2025 in Shanghai, as well as a nomination for three DICE Awards and being named Game of the Year by PC Gamer, according to Warhorse Studios’ official website. This success allowed the studio to grow from a handful of developers to a team of 300.

The Value of Brotherly Collaboration

The core of this project, the brothers emphasize, is their collaborative relationship. “We trust each other. And even though it sounds like a cliché, that’s the main thing,” they state. This trust and shared vision have been instrumental in overcoming the challenges of independent game development. The ability to work at their own pace, free from external pressures, has allowed them to focus on creating a game that reflects their creative passions.

Demo Availability and Future Development

Currently, players can download and play the demo of Scribe RPG on Steam. The release of the demo isn’t the end of the development process, but rather a stepping stone towards completing the full game. The Podprocký brothers continue to work on the project, balancing their commitments to their day jobs with their passion for game development. The future of Scribe RPG, and the continued expansion of its world and narrative, will depend on their dedication and the support of players who appreciate their unique vision.