Socio-Economic Impacts of the Representation of the Municipality of Troskovice in the Successful Video Game Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

This bachelor’s thesis examines the cultural and economic impacts of the video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance II on the municipality of Troskovice and its surroundings. The thesis focuses on how the representation of a real location in a successful video game can influence tourism, the perception of cultural heritage, the local economy, and the possibilities for long-term development of the municipality. The aim of the thesis is to identify these impacts and evaluate their potential in the context of the development of small municipalities. The theoretical part defines key concepts such as cultural heritage, cultural potential, cultural tourism, game-induced tourism, gamification, and the animation of cultural heritage. It also addresses the role of video games in tourism and their ability to influence visitors’ relationships with real-world locations. The theoretical framework further includes an introduction to the municipality of Troskovice and the video game itself. The practical part is based on qualitative research conducted through interviews with selected stakeholders operating in Troskovice and its surroundings. It focuses on their perceptions of the impacts associated with the popularity of the video game and on identifying potential opportunities and limitations of this phenomenon. The thesis also highlights the possibilities of applying game-induced tourism in practice, particularly in the development of tourism offerings, interpretation of cultural heritage, and strengthening of local identity, with an emphasis on sustainability principles.