After its Game Informer reveal, CD Projekt RED has officially confirmed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, both the “ultimate” and final Witcher game from the studio, for PC and “high-end platforms” in 2014. The game utilizes the developer’s new REDengine 3 technology and combines its trademark decision-based storytelling with an open world “larger than any other in modern RPG history.”
“The captivating and nonlinear story of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt takes place in a rich, truly open world environment,” said CD Projekt RED boss Adam Badowski. “A world which is thrilling to explore, full of daring adventures, momentous quests, memorable characters, and unique monsters.
“Players will freely travel through woods, lakes, mountains, cities, and villages. Each region is inhabited by distinct populations with their own customs, legends and problems.
“The world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is 30 times bigger than The Witcher 2.”
He continued: “Imagine playing a dark fantasy game with the same great nonlinear story as in the previous Witcher titles, but now told in a world you can explore freely with no artificial boundaries. The war-ravaged world is so huge that to reach further places you will need to ride a horse or sail a boat to get there. A world where your choices have truly epic consequences.
“From the development side, this goal is extremely demanding. Our team had to make significant design changes and our tech had to be rebuilt. But we believe that this will lead to a completely new level of nonlinearity and a whole new, richer gaming experience. As a gamer, I would love to play this kind of RPG and I think this is what many players are waiting for. This is our dream come true at CD Projekt RED, and we hope it will be the same for you!” adds Badowski.
The Witcher 3 will offer a free-roaming, open-world experience and take players through “war-ravaged lands,” has them sail “misty waters,” and do battle with “dangerous beasts” to earn income. An improved combat system will allow players to “feel like a real monster-hunter” as they use their witcher senses and fighting skills on their quest to save protagonist Geralt of Rivia’s loved ones.
“People may ask if this is really going to be the last Witcher game. Yes, it is,” said Badowski. “Why? Because we believe that we should end the series on a high note.
“Technology has progressed to where we can finally tell the story the way we want, with the visuals we want, in the world we imagined. This will be the ultimate fantasy RPG experience, and while we’re hardly out of stories to tell, we believe it’s time for us to look to new worlds and new horizons to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can create.”
To celebrate the announcement, CD Projekt RED has slashed the price of The Witcher and The Witcher 2 on GOG.com and Steam by 50 percent. Additionally, it has announced a permanent price drop for the Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2. It is now available for 29.99 USD/EUR or 19,99 GBP.
Watch the title reveal teaser trailer below. View some logos at the gallery.
