The Witcher 3:
Wild Hunt
This is the
third game of the series called "The Witcher” which (as you probably know)
is a Polish production. The company which has created this game is a "CD
Projekt Red." Its headquarters are located in Warsaw on Jagiellońska 74 street.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Killing Monsters
Cinematic Trailer:
I decided to write about this game because I’m really interested in a process of creating computer games and this one is a unique part of Witcher.
The premiere
of the "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" took place on 19th of May this
year. But the number of pre-orders had exceeded one and a half million copies! It
is a great prove how good we are in making games. It is already one of the
biggest successes in a game production in Poland and around the
world. There is no doubt that the Witcher will compete with the best games
in 2015.
Last Monday,
at about 11:50 am, CD Projekt’s share price was at 25.23 PLN. It was a
spectacular record in the history of this company. Thanks to this CDP it was
promoted to the the elite group of 50 most valuable Polish companies listed on
the WSE.
I chose this
topic, not only because it is a really great success for the whole Poland, but
also because I have always wanted to create my own computer game. And it
would be great if it was as successful as this one.
Here you can
watch the official game play, it lasts 35min:
The
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Official Gameplay (35 min):
Since the
premiere of the Witcher people and media have started to talk about video games
and the Polish potential in this business. It is said that on our national
market gaming industry is worth approx. 230 US dollars and a worldwide $ 80
billion. So it's very profitable.
I think in
Poland computer games are mainly associated with addiction and a waste of time. I hope this game will change
this perception. Especially that even the American President, Barack Obama,
mentioned the new CD Projekt RED's
production and praised its success.
We need to stop
thinking that video games are extremely dangerous and focus on benefits.
Of course,
games can be a terrible addiction but I like to look at them in a different way
I think it's some kind of art, you can admire the details and effects of work
of many people. The process of creating the game is very long, for example, for
the third part of the Witcher we waited for about 4 years.
This game
showed many people how the game industry is underrated. In my opinion, it would
be a great loss for the Polish economy if we did not use its potential. I'm
really interested in your opinions about that. Do you think we can be leaders
in this business? Or it was just a fluke that the Witcher became so famous?
Unfortunately
I haven't had the opportunity to play this game yet. That’s why, ( if someone
was a lucky player) I’m really interested in your impressions about The
Witcher.
Sources:
I’m a lifelong fan of RPGs. I’ve also read all the Sapkowski’s books twice (second time in preparation for the games:) I also played and enjoyed the previous two parts. With that out of the way - I didn’t care much for Witcher 3. I bought it on release day and spent about 15 hours total with it so far (only 15 because I’ve been travelling lately and the game unfortunately will not run on my laptop:)
ReplyDeleteFrom what I’ve seen so far (I’ve only seen a tiny part of the game, I might be wrong!) it’s very linear.
The world is supposedly in decay but honestly, you can’t really feel it. There are other games dealing with it far better. For example in “This War of Mine” - another amazing Polish game - you can actually feel everything crumbling around you. At points it made me very very sad. Witcher’s world just …sits there. I didn’t care for it much so far.
The two above points might change further in the game. My main gripe with the game, and one that will not change, is the character control scheme. It feels extremely blunt to me. As a counter example let’s look at “Shadow of Mordor”. The control scheme there is by far superior. The reactions are immediate, fluid and very satisfying. (I’m not comparing the entire game, just the control scheme! And only because it's the only game I played recently that's kinda similar) In Witcher it feels like there are three layers between you pressing the button and the character reacting, it just kills the fun for me. I made sure I was running >70 fps and tinkered with the settings extensively. Did not help.
On the plus side - the graphics are terrific. Best part is you don’t really need a monster machine to run it.
I will finish the game 100% because I’m a completionist, but in a year I really doubt I will want to go back to it the way I go back to Baldur's Gate:)
I have played The Witcher for about 2 hours, but I comepletely agree with your statements of 'raw' world and terrible character controls (as well as not intuitive inventory). Can't tell much about fighting and the story, but it is seems like an upgrade of the second installment.
DeleteI was surprised that major Western media are generally in awe of this game and I've read on Kotaku (or some other big name website) that the Witcher 3 set the tone for future RPG titans, such as next TES, Fallout 4 or even Mass Effect. I couldn't tell why, because it is not a revolutionary game, nor a perfectly polished one (there are 6 PC patches in less than a month from release date).
Maybe it's just there was no major release in the last month or two, I don't know.
But don't get me as a miserable guy - It feels VERY good that finally Polish gaming devs are getting worldwide recognition with every major Polish game release.
I think the same as Jakub M.: Unfair to say that game is linear after 15 hours. We can say that this is just very beginning of the game. I appreciate you for the fact that you metioned about the game Baldur's Gate. This is such a great Production. I know this game from my childhood - I was 10 when I played it. Classic Game! :D
DeleteIt's really hard for me to comment on this topic, because I have been working on this game for over 2,5 year and currently, I’m involved with Expansion Packs (later on I’ll be moved to other project). I know this game not only as a gamer, but as a developer as well, so I do know what went well and what went wrong. I’m really proud of my work, our team, because hype on this game was enormous – we received fantastic feedback and it really was something to hear and read all those nice words.
ReplyDeleteI will not read all the comments, which will be written here, but I can answer Sebastian’s: When you have a game, where you can wonder for over 200 hours it’s rather unfair to say that game is linear after 15 hours. After introduction you can visit Velen, try to find Ciri, go to Novigrad, sail to Skellige or do whatever you want to, so maybe you had a feeling that there is only one path, but you hadn’t even started playing the game, only saw the prologue, later on you will be free to decide what and how you want to play (to compare: http://howlongtobeat.com/game.php?id=22658 and http://howlongtobeat.com/game.php?id=10270 - after 15 hours you would finish “The war of mine”). And I do not know how can you compare “Shadow of Mordor” with “ The Wither”. They’re both fantasy game, in both you kill… and that’s it :D I will agree that battle feeling is better, because this game is all about fighting, so it’s better to compare SoM with “Bloodborne” or “Dark Souls”. If you want to compare Wither – pick the same category – Skyrim, Dragon Age etc.
As for your presentation - formatting could be better, some things are not right, but those are details.
I hope you’ll enjoy playing the game as much I was creating it!
I repeatedly said that it was my opinion at only 15 hours in and it might change. But you’re right - it was unfair to comment on it at all. I retract the statement and apologise:)
DeleteAs to the comparison with SoM I think it’s a valid one. Like Witcher it’s a third person perspective game with a focus on sword play with some supernatural elements. I was comparing ONLY the character control feeling.
The Witcher has some amazing dialogue, awesome card game system, interesting characters but the fight sequences are still a vital part of the experience. They are the reason to advance your character and move the story forward. Also, the feeling of controls affects all the other elements of the game. And it is lacking in my opinion.
Skyrim’s system is first person so I don’t think it’s comparable. The fight system in Dragon Age, in my experience with the first two games (haven’t played Inquisition), is further from the Witcher than Shadows of Mordor.
It’s just my opinion. A lot of people in my life argue with me on those points so it’s in NO WAY a popular opinion. I’d like to congratulate you on a job very well done!
If you compare the whole game - both Witcher(I don't know why my phone made autocorrecting to "Wither" in previous post) and Dragon Age are about story and solving quests, you gain companions, have interesting dialogs, where your choices make noticeable impact on the world and in Shadow of Mordor you…. Fight.
DeleteWe compared ourselves mostly with BioWare production, because Witcher is not really about fighting, but following the storyline – God of War, Final Fantasy, Bloodborne, Shadow of Mordor, Dark, Souls – those games beat us at fighting by default, because we didn’t focus that much on fighting sequences, the same goes with sailing, horse riding etc. We tried to make them pleasant or in worst case not irritating, but as you’ll follow the storyline, the beauty of this game lies in interesting characters, dialogs, funny twists and story. Things, which Shadow of Mordor doesn’t have. At all. But I agree that controls could be improved and SoM’s fighting system beats ours.
Oh, I now see that there is such word as "wither" - good to know :D
DeleteThe greatest thing is that, there is someone who worked on this game! I was really curious if anyone will be here who will have something in common with this game. As I was a child I always dreamed about to produce my own game, or at least be able to assist in similar production. Jakub M: Could you tell us more about the production of this game?
DeleteWhat do you want to know?
DeleteI must say I'm not a big fan of RPGs. I don't like to walk through the map looking for something and talking with different characters to gather information needed to complete some tasks. It makes me bored. I like something with action from the beginning to the end. Something that I can turn off after 20 up to 40 minutes of playing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't played The Witcher 3 or even the first or the second part of the series. I admire games succes, awards and mostly great reviews and I'm trully proud the fact it was made by Polish company. Despite the fact I don't like RPGs I must admit that I'm planning to check out The Wither II and maybe III later. Just because of the curiosity. And maybe I will gen into this? Who knows :)
I know that there were some popular Polish game productions abroad like Dead Island or Call Of Juarez both made by Techland. But I haven't played it also :) And finally answering your question: I don't think we can be leaders in near future. A few games won't make us giants in game development.
Very interesting topic but unfortunately imao it is too short and formatting isn’t good. Personally I propose left adjustment for text, it should make text more friendly in reading.
ReplyDeleteAnd going back to the point of Your presentation as I mentioned earlier I really like topics like yours. I have played both previous versions and I definitely I will check out the newest one… of course if my computer is able to manage with this monster (http://i1.kwejk.pl/k/obrazki/2015/01/6e93f45867d8fb55764860ab38afa01e.jpg ;) ).
About economical aspect of that game I have one conclusion: big money for advertising makes more money on sale. I know it is pretty obvious but as far as I know they spent 35$ million for that purpose when for development spent only ~10$ million.
Nice post, about one of the most famous games developed in Poland. I appreciate their hard work, game is a bit buggy, but it's enormous. I've spent on it around 50 hours now and I'm still in the middle. I read whole series of the book as well. Trailers are amazing, shame that they are not in Polish. Game made in Poland should be dubbed. That's my opinion of course. I've bought limited edition and I've limited editions of 1 and 2 part as well.
ReplyDeleteThis song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSY4k9aVyNY) was mentioned in most commercial radio stations in Poland. To developers, keep up good work :)
They are getting better and better with every game, but I'm still not totally convinced to try the series :p Maybe it's because I haven't read the books and it's 'just another RPG' for me. Still, I respect the effort they've put into making this game and it's amazing how popular it became throughout the world. Someone mentioned another Polish game, This War Of Mine here and I think it's much more interesting as it touches a topic that was barely ever mentioned in video games, is very touching and the graphical style is great.
ReplyDeleteI`m not a gamer now but I used to be. The Witcher is our domestic reason to proud of video games. It is also a reason for being optimistic for the polish games future. Unfortunately i haven’t got a chance to play this stuff but I`ve heard a lot of excellent reviews. I`m with your opinion about not enough using of our development potential. One thing in your presentation is thought-provoking – you haven’t played this game too but you prepared presentation about this. But I know your mention was to present our potential to create big games titles and you`ve done this well. The last thing I need to comment is addiction of gaming that you described - tell me one thing, how to finish some game without spending a lot of hours in front of screen? Of course some people are addicted of video games and we could call they like “no life gamers” but it’s their choices and life so I think we need to leave it out.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning I will say that I am not the kind of man who spends his life only on playing computer games. Rather, I would say that I do not play computer games. Now, I'm working on a computer rather than playing games. I made a presentation about this game only becouse I think that even those people who do not play games should know about this production. Answering to your question "how to finish some game without spending a lot hours in front of screen?" - I will say - You can not.
DeleteI haven't played any game of the series yet. To be honest I don't have good enough PC for that. Also I still have only Xbox360 (not XONE) so the only option for me is trying The Witcher 2 (which was released on Xbox360).
ReplyDeleteI have heard that there was some irregularity in announcing of financial results of the company and they can be charged for that.
I don’t play video games so I have nothing to say about it really.. I only know it took a while for Polish game developers to get some recognition, but good for them it finally happened with Wither.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't get all thishype related to "The Witcher". I understand that this is very good game but most of people "love" because it was created by polish company If it would be created by company from outside it wouldn't be soooo awsomeeeee. We need to remember that still CDP is very small company if you compare it to USA giants. For example CDP can affortd only one big project at once
ReplyDeleteBut still I'm very happy that more and more of our products is getting awsome on external markets.
I'm not a huge fan of RPG. I prefer strategy. And to be more specific, I play only SId Meier;s Civilization (5 times in a year). But the Witcher (all the parts) is the project which i really like because it's ours, polish and of course it's based on Sapkowski's novels. CDP is the company which we should be proud of. If I only had a time I would play this game all the time.
ReplyDeleteI have to join to part of my colleagues whose are not a huge fans of a computer games, but I appreciate a Cinematic Trailer. It looks pretty good. The only game that I used to play was Lineage II, so maybe it's a silly comparison for a Witcher fans, but I remember I was about addicted to play in Lineage about 5 years ago :D but later I realized It took too much of my time so I quit.
ReplyDeleteIm not really into computer games, and you didn't write anything about the story which is in the game. If the title character is killing witches I won't touch it ever :)
ReplyDeleteI have to join the little fanclub of RPGs that's above in the comments. I don't even own a PC to play games, and I don't have much time for this but I always love to visit some of my friends and play or watch how they play :D It's even more fun to watch for me lolz. Like you I haven't played Witcher 3 yet so sorry guys, that's a shame for a polish guy... I know some guys from CD Projekt and I wish them the best ! :-) Go POLAND!
ReplyDeleteHey, we have some others good titles just in 2015:
ReplyDeleteHatred
Kholat
60 seconds
Dying light
I think that we could get good position in game buissness. Maybe not the leader but good. Witcher 3 is a great game, CDP RED has done amazing job. And the support is world class -ex free DLC. As I said the Witcher is great game and this is objectively rate because it is not my type. I am not into fantasy. One thing I can find fault is the downgrade regarding to trailers. And CD projekt confirms that infomation and admit it. They've done a downgrade. In my opinion because of consoles wich can't handle the high requirements. Thank you sony ;<
I've never been interested in computer games so I can't say much about the new Witcher. But I've heard already that it was created by poles so i checked what was all about and i must admit that the effect of their hard work is really impressive, even for someone like me. Player or not we all should be proud of it.
ReplyDelete