https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/kingdom-come-deliverance-2s-developer-is-fed-up-of-being-dragged-into-the-culture-war-it-seems-like-someone-is-always-trying-to-brand-us-somehow-and-we-are-just-trying-to-make-a-cool-videogame/

I do not believe any entity outside government (and even then it's difficult) should have such complete control of the gaming industry that this entity can create a singular message across all games -- like a magazine stand selling many different magazines, but inside they are all the same.

I also do not believe that "fan groups" should try and force gaming companies to only produce games -- with messages -- this group likes. Let game companies make the games they want to make! If those games don't reflect the interest(s) of the market (via sales) companies will be forced to look at their business model (and messaging) and reorganize accordingly (or not). Again, a magazine stand selling magazines that people don't want won't sell magazines for long.

I'm tired of all sides in this debate, but then... I'm willing to just walk away from modern gaming wholesale if it no longer produces anything I enjoy.

As for Vavra...

... I think he's a brilliant storyteller and IMO that was proven by his absence from Mafia 3 and the resulting drop in direction and storytelling quality (yes, even a former LucasArts star couldn't measure Vavra's skill). I'm willing to take the journey Vavra's created. If it's good, great! If it's not, sobeit... I might think twice about his next move (although probably not... I really do think he's a brilliant storyteller).

I'm looking forward to KCD II.

This should really be the start and end of the debate. We can all talk, but what matters is what people do. And if it just so happens that the popular vote decides not to support a certain product, then the product simply had no appeal, it does not make the buyers "wrong" for not buying it. This is something that some developers aren't understanding. The "anti-woke" crowd doesn't seem to understand this either, they don't need to screech if they think a game is agenda-driven, the game will simply not do well e.g. Gears of War switching to a female lead after building a franchise on male brotherhood...There was no "anti-woke Gears" brigade at the time, yet the franchise still lost support in silence.

With that being said, I've heard nothing but positives about KCD gameplay so far, this game will do just fine.

Reviews have dropped. So far, haven't seen a single negative one. Scores usually in the 9 territory, mostly because of some minor bugs here and there.

Wouldn't be surprised if this was another Baldur's Gate 3, with the usual suspects complaining about "unrealistic standards" and whatnot :D. Even better actually, as this game didn't have an Early Access phase spanning several years. It just released as in the old days, showing you can indeed drop a finished product right from the get-go. And it's going to absolutely kill in sales.

Ngl, I'm past buying any game on release given the last 5 years of "AAA" releases. So I'll still wait a year or two for bug fixes and price drops. Otherwise, this is looking like a GOTY.

Good thing then that GoG gets almost nothing on release :)

The main reason to wait in my opinion would be for the "Complete" edition, e.g. once all the DLCs are done. When it comes to bugs, I feel like right about when the GOG release happens (in a month or two), the biggest bugs will have have been ironed out.

Uhh... That's not "liberals," that's Reich-wing bigots. And tell us again you have no idea what a "liberal" is. But go off, king.

Yeah but I hope there is still a way to get the exclusive pre-order quest and armor. :(

The game is now at the top of the Steam Top Sellers chart, beating even F2P games. Also already broke 100K concurrent players.

https://steamdb.info/app/1771300/charts/

A GOTY contender if I ever saw one.

EDIT:
Broke 150K concurrent.

I can't wait for it to arrive on GoG

If I buy it on release in Steam, will I be able to claim the DRM-free version on here, through Steam link?

No. The short-lived "connect" option disappeared many years ago, and depended on far too few publishers giving their blessing anyway.

If you care about DRM-free, then unfortunately for this game you'll need to exercise a little bit of patience.

Fair point, even just waiting for the full collection of DLC is good with me. I avoided KCD1 spoilers until I bought it for £10 here years later with all the add-ons. All I know about KCD2 is the gay/black dude fiasco and that was only because people on here brought it up. Otherwise, I know literally nothing about this game and intend to avoid spoilers until I pick up my discount copy in a few years.

Will there be some way to get the The Lion’s Crest pre-order bonus quest on GOG?

Chances are GOG doesn't know either.
Either ask Warhorse directly, or just wait and see.