Wed, Feb 06, 2013 | 08:04 GMT

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt announced, goes open world

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has made its debut in the latest issue of GameInformer US, and boasts a completely open world.

The issue’s cover has been scanned and uploaded to NeoGAF along with a few details harvested from within.

The open world is said to be 40 times as large as The Witcher 2′s, 20% bigger than that of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and will take up to 40 minutes to cross on horseback.

The story, like the world, is not divided into chapters or acts. The open world is enabled by a new streaming technology enabled by the new CDRED Engine 3, and includes no loading screens. There will be fast travel, though.

Protagonist Geralt has recovered all his memories, and probably as a result is not interested in fighting for a faction. Instead, he wanders the world slaying monsters and solving mysteries, as in the books. Despite the non-linear setting, CD Projekt is doubling down on cinematics and storytelling, with over 100 hundred hours of scripted quests.

The story is said to come in three flavours. The first is quests the player sets for themselves, such as slaying monsters or crafting to level up and earn better equipment. In the second level, major plot lines in key areas will resolve the Nilfgaardian invasion storyline. Players don’t need to complete every area’s major plotline, or may make a decision not to begin, but not completing a set of quests can have consequences for another, like an area being abandoned or an ally coming to your aid. However, the environment won’t undergo dramatic visual transformations as it did in The Witcher 2, and some plot lines conflict, forcing the player to choose.

The third narrative thread is Geralt’s search for his lost love and some sort of conflict with the Wild Hunt. The game can be completed by pursuing only this storyline and ignoring everything else. CD Projket wants to focus more on romance and less on sexual encounters this time; the trading cards are not making a return.

Although Geralt can go anywhere, monsters don’t scale to the players level, so presumably some areas are best elft for end-game. While wandering the world, Geralt will encounter monsters, animals and human characters, all of which may attack if they consider him a threat. Weather is dynamically generated, and what kinds of creatures are encountered and their behaviours are modified by time of day, among other factors.

The image on the cover shows Geralt riding with an adult companion whose face cannot be seen. Mounted combat is on the cards but CD Projekt hasn’t nailed it yet so isn’t making promises, but ships are available, and will float on water thanks to a new physics engine. Both horses and boats can be upgraded.

Mini-games will vary by location, with the example of knife-throwing in Skellige provided. These optional diversions offer rewards but aren’t needed to drive the story. While out and about, Geralt will also be offered monster-slaying commissions, but won’t receive contracts. Killing monsters often yields otherwise unobtainable alchemical ingredients and mutagens, which will unlock parts of his skill tree.

Sometimes these commissions wil require investigation, and Geralt will be able to spot slues in the environment using his Witcher senses, activated with the left trigger. It’s not just a matter of spotting gleaming items and hitting a button, though; Geralt will mutter to himself, or view memories, in order to communicate his problem solving skills to the player.

In combat, the more Geralt has learned about monster, the more likely he is to identify critical strike locations. CD Projekt RED is still balancing the combat and hasn’t decided between real-time special moves or quick time style events for certain abilities. CD Projekt hopes to address the difficulty problems of the previous games, and is reworking combat considerably.

Geralt now has 96 combat animations, as opposed to 20 in The Witcher 2, but to avoid the player being caught in long animations, three major changes have been made: every button is mapped to a single strike; every move takes about the same amount of time; and all moves can be interrupted to dodge or block.

Geralt no long runs in combat, but strikes even faster, and instead of rolling, he pivots. Enemy AI is all-new, and there will be no scripted boss encounters. Bosses do still feature, including an ice giant.

For those who’d rather avoid combat, Geralt can use the environment to distract and evade, as for example when he uses the sign of Aard to annoy wasps so they attack guards, and then use Igni to scare them off. There are around a dozen objects that can be used in this way.

Magic has been rejigged; each of the five signs has a basic effect which can be upgraded while still retaining the original use, too. In addition to magic, Geralt has a swordmanship and alchemy tree. The alchemy tree is all about potions, and CD projekt promises improved inventory and crafting systems, including customisable crafting items, and the ability to substitute similar items in recipes, modifying the final results.

On the gear side, finding unique ingredients and special recipes unlocks powerful artefacts, but even standard armour sets have a unique appearance. Plus, you can change Geralt’s hairstyle; a feature recently added to The Witcher 2.

CD Projekt RED has doubled its development team since The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. It did not give platform information beyond a mention of “all top-of-the-line” consoles, suggesting a potential next-generation release (hello, PlayStation 4). The GameInformer cover describes it as a “must see next generation RPG”.

A video has been made available; check it out below.

Thanks, Dan.

45 comment-trail-alt Posted in: RPG
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45 comments

#1

Dark
05/02/13, 4:41 am

I’m so hyped right now.

#2

Brenna Hillier
05/02/13, 4:43 am

This is me going to transport school just so I am better equipped to get on the hype train.

#3

Telepathic.Geometry
05/02/13, 4:56 am

Sweet! Finally be able to get my hands on a Witcher game…

#5

Wychodzew
05/02/13, 5:24 am

Geralt has a beard! A beard! GOTY!

#6

Telepathic.Geometry
05/02/13, 5:59 am

^^ This statement is logically sound. ^-^ ^^

#7

Brenna Hillier
05/02/13, 6:51 am

Updated with video, more details incoming.

#8

Dragon246
05/02/13, 6:51 am

Just like Brenna, TG responded I am dazzled that someone is making a next-gen rpg so soon. Have you read this site…. thewitcher.com ?

That aside, I am not a very big fan of WRPGs. I played Witcher and TES4 and 5 on pc and I just couldn’t bring myself to like them. Although I will be excited for a Fallout-esqe game.

#9

Brenna Hillier
05/02/13, 7:19 am

Huge info dump added.

#10

mathare92
05/02/13, 7:21 am

@8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE :D

#11

freedoms_stain
05/02/13, 8:01 am

It sounds like a grand vision, I hope they can pull it off.

If this works as described they basically shame Bethesda.

#12

Edo
05/02/13, 9:11 am

Holly fuck yes!

#13

BULArmy
05/02/13, 9:13 am

Very good narrative and open world just don’t mix properly for me. Yes we have exceptions like Fallout 1,2 and Planescape Torment.

The more linear story of the previous games is actually closer to the overall feel of the books. It is nice that they will try to incorporate more the lore of the books, but I am not so sure how they will do it to really feel epic. Geralt is all about saving the world, even if he doesn’t like it. The first game did that perfectly, the second fell short in doing that. It was a good story, but didn’t feel true to what was established. For the wole time I felt that Geralt is more of a henchman that is just cought in the events. And the whole quest for of clearing his name is not what an epic Withcer story must be.

This franchise is currently on top of my favorite list, even if the games had a fair share of problems, just because it is something unique. But I really don’t want to see it turned it a generic fantasy RPG just for getting some of the TES fans.

#14

hives
05/02/13, 9:43 am

@13 – I don’t agree. Witcher can’t save the world, and he DO NOT WANT TO. Remember – his memory is 100% back. So he just don’t give a damn about politics, for sure less than in previous games.

This game will fit witchers’ style of life. Freedom in big world. Slaying monstres. Ocassionally helping people for money. That’s what being a witcher is all about.

Story will be about finding Yennefer and it’s ok. We don’t need another “Quickly, save the world from the bad guys!”. More personal for our hero = better.

Besides – proper dialogues & cut-scenes are still in here. So you can just follow main plot and you won’t feel it being like Skyrim etc.

But anyways, I’m hyped. Fixed fighting (I liked this in first game more, happy that pivots are coming back and it will be more “witchery”). Horses :P Better monster slaying element and improved crafting. Awesome.

#15

Gadzooks!
05/02/13, 10:09 am

Everything mentioned sounds good, but most importantly: No level scaling.

I want to wander into a new area and have my ass handed to me, go away and beefcake up, come back and lay down the hurt. That’s satisfying.

Always being able to take on any monster in any area means there is little danger in exploring.

W2 was semi-openworld so going full openworld is not that huge a change, but a welcome one, IMO.

#16

BULArmy
05/02/13, 10:17 am

@14The Witcher books are very complex in their storytelling and how things are connected. And yes, Geralt is all about saving the world. He is always caught in the greater events even if he hates it. :D
Ciri, the Nilfgaard war and Lodge of Sorceresses. Geralt is always there and it is always part of the fucked up things. But the clever thing about them is that in the end it looks that he was not so important and the whole time he was minding his own business and only coincidence was at play.

#17

LuLshuck
05/02/13, 11:26 am

probs be shit like the 2nd game

#18

sh4dow
05/02/13, 11:49 am

While open world is nice, I sure hope it’ll still be faster to get around than in Skyrim or the newer Fallouts, despite them mentioning those 40 minutes by horse. Because I find it damn annoying to have to walk around for half an hour just to get somewhere for the first time.

#19

Moonwalker1982
05/02/13, 1:41 pm

Awesome awesome news. It doesn’t nessecarily have to rival Skyrim or any other game for that matter. Skyrim has its own things that i don’t see happening right away in Witcher 3, like the many different dungeons and that’s ok. It’s coming for the next-gen consoles and that’s just awesome news. Open-world gaming is new for them though, this is gonna be a challenge no doubt.

Some screenshots:

http://gamingeverything.com/39177/witcher-3-confirmed-is-next-gen-featured-in-game-informer/

#20

Erthazus
05/02/13, 2:14 pm

My PC is ready.

and no, open world won’t be a challenge for them. SKYRIM was shit with the same dungeons all over the place. First and second games in witcher series were brilliant.

Want.

#21

GwynbleiddiuM
05/02/13, 2:38 pm

@20 Damnit Erth, mine needs upgrading :( ( 8GB RAM, R5850, Core i5 750… that’s not good, like at all.

This and Cyberpunk would make my entire gaming calendar epic, next 2 MGS games as well.

#22

DSB
05/02/13, 2:52 pm

MEGATON!

Day one bizzotch.

Not sure I’m comfortable with it being bigger than Skyrim. Skyrims best and worst feature was always the scale. It gave you a ton of stuff to explore, but there was no real substance to most of it.

The Witcher needs substance, mang.

#23

freedoms_stain
05/02/13, 3:12 pm

They’re promising so, sooooooooooooooooooo much here. I just hope and pray they can deliver on it.

If they can it has the potential to be the greatest open world RPG of all time.

I think they’ve learned a lot as a studio over the last 2 games. Hopefully this is the one that prings it all together.

#24

nando
05/02/13, 3:39 pm

@20

i am pretty sure that your pc is not ready at all for this game for this engine

#25

hives
05/02/13, 4:39 pm

Huh, yeah, I’m scared of PC system required specs. Witcher 2 runs on high for me, but this will be next-gen game so… Yea, I’m hoping for “low-medium” :D

Or maybe I’ll buy one of next-gen consoles till then? We’ll see (depends what exclusives they will get on start).

#26

Bomba Luigi
05/02/13, 4:46 pm

In my Opinion, if you have the Choice, buy the PC Version. I’m sure Wticher3 will get a ModKit too, and Mods just a great Thing. And all the DLC Stuff will be Free on the PC. Not sure if they can bring free DLCs to Consoles, guess it depens on the Politics of Sony and MS.

#28

NeoSquall
05/02/13, 5:05 pm

No sex card? No buying.

j/k I’ll get the Collector’s Edition, of course.

#29

Edo
05/02/13, 5:07 pm

@27 Thanks for that!

#30

Ireland Michael
05/02/13, 5:17 pm

Eh.

#32

Night Hunter
05/02/13, 6:12 pm

Will there be a press conference? Just the GI article and a teaser wouldn’t be CDPRs style.

#33

Kabby
05/02/13, 6:40 pm

Geralt ‘Big Boss’ of Rivia.

More beard, more win.

#34

YoungZer0
05/02/13, 6:49 pm

@33: Agreed.

#35

manamana
05/02/13, 7:36 pm

And here is the teasertrailer! http://www.allgamesbeta.com/2013/02/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-teaser.html

Edit: efff, I’m late to the party. Again. ;-)

#36

viralshag
06/02/13, 11:06 am

I haven’t even finished the first or second game but hell, I’m excited!

#37

YoungZer0
06/02/13, 11:10 am

@36: You NEED to finish the second one. It’s one of the best games ever made.

#38

viralshag
06/02/13, 11:19 am

@37, I know, I know! I have it on the PC and they even have spot on pad support. I really have no excuse other than not having a week off to dedicate to it.

That’s really the only reason I haven’t played through it completely. I think I will definitely try to get around to starting it properly this weekend if I get the time.

#39

YoungZer0
06/02/13, 11:24 am

@38: How far are you into the game?

#40

viralshag
06/02/13, 11:31 am

@39, Shamefully, I don’t think I’m even out of the first settlement, Flotsam is it?

I don’t know what it is. I start it, enjoy it, stop to do something else and then don’t come back to it for a couple of months. Then I just start again because I can’t remember what I got up to.

It’s not even like I dislike the game. It’s an odd one for me.

#41

YoungZer0
06/02/13, 11:44 am

@40: And you were playing the extended version?

#42

viralshag
06/02/13, 11:50 am

@41, No I don’t think it was. I think that was the reason I stopped, when that was announced I decided to just wait for it and then never got around to it.

I’ve recently done a clean install of everything on my PC so I think I will get it all installed and ready to go as I have a quiet weekend planned (which normally never stays that way), so I will get started then.

#43

YoungZer0
06/02/13, 11:58 am

You do that, you’re missing out otherwise.

#44

viralshag
06/02/13, 12:04 pm

Just booked a cheeky two days off next week, one that that I might dedicate to Geralt and the other to risk my life on an off-road Segway…

Just how I roll.

#45

YoungZer0
06/02/13, 12:22 pm

That is so cool. B|

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