Topic: The Witcher 2

[Pugnate]

Yea that is interesting. It makes sense when you think about the relationship these guys have, but it doesn't fit the business model of GoG.

[idolminds]

Well eventually Witcher 2 will be old. They are just beating the rush.

Preorder now for free stuff!

[Pugnate]

The problem with a game like this is that because the retail package is so enticing, it means that very few people are going to be going for a digital purchase and forgoing all the neato stuff that CD Prjoket like to include.

[idolminds]

The retail collectors edition is nice, but its $130. Not sure what goodies might be in the regular retail.

Its going to be interesting to see if they sell more on GoG or on Steam. All Steam nets you is achievements (yawn) and cloud saving. GoG gets you a bunch of extra goodies, and DRM free. Plus for people not in the US:

Since the EU price is almost $16 more than the price in USD, we’re giving our EU customers a $16 credit to purchase anything on GOG.com.

Thats a definite leg up. They can't alter the price in different regions because of the deals made with publishers, so they are giving you the price difference back in store credit. Thats badass.

[MysterD]

So, here's the big question now - what kind of DRM comes w/ Retail versions?

[MysterD]

Well eventually Witcher 2 will be old. They are just beating the rush.

Preorder now for free stuff!

D2D Version is also DRM-Free.
LOAD15 promo code on D2D currently nets you another 15% off - good until 11/22/2010.

EDIT:
Impulse version also is DRM-Free.

[Pugnate]

The CE is nice, but even the regular edition of The Witcher has some cool stuff.

[MysterD]

The CE is nice, but even the regular edition of The Witcher has some cool stuff.

I think more Regular Editions should come w/ The Soundtrack & Making of the Game, at the very least.
I hope this sets a new standard to how to make the $50-60 price-tag looks more attractive to gamers.

[MysterD]

1UP -> CDP is not playing around when it comes to piracy.
Torrent The Witcher 2 illegally, expect a possible threatening letter(s) and/or a fine.

[gpw11]

Yeah, um....I can't really see that working out for them any better than it does for anyone else.

[MysterD]

Eurogamer -> CD Projekt talks more about their Anti-DRM stance.

[Xessive]

These guys have my full support.

I just pre-ordered The Witcher 2 from GOG.com

They have a "pay later" option by the way. Pre-order now, and pay any time later.

[Pugnate]

That's... weird. Then it isn't a preorder, is it?

[MysterD]

That's... weird. Then it isn't a preorder, is it?

I think it's a good idea to do this - since you never seem to know when GOG just might shut down for a few days!

[Xessive]

That's... weird. Then it isn't a preorder, is it?

Well, sort of.. It's kinda like when I pre-ordered stuff from EB Games, they place the order but I don't pay until I pick it up.

[MysterD]

Shacknews -> New Dev Diary about The RED Engine and System Requirements.

Minimum System Requirements:
"Required for fluid operation of the game"
# Dual Core 2.2 GHz Processor
# 1 GB RAM (Windows XP), 2 GB RAM (Vista/Windows 7)
# GeForce 8800 512 MB (Similar ATI Minimum)

[Pugnate]

Oh please. What bullshit. The game didn't run fluidly on an 8800GTX 1GB and they are telling us that its superior looking sequel will do better on a lesser card?

[idolminds]

Depends on how the engine was optimized. The original was a heavily modified NWN engine, wasnt it? Sometimes theres only so much you can do. But with a new engine from scratch you can make some nice optimizations.

Could be lies, but who knows.

[MysterD]

Oh please. What bullshit. The game didn't run fluidly on an 8800GTX 1GB and they are telling us that its superior looking sequel will do better on a lesser card?

They didn't really like some of the limitations of using Aurora, so they went for a new engine this time around.

I'd love to know details as to what those low system requirements would have for settings - you know, what res' it runs at (hopefully at least 1024x768) and overall settings (Low, Medium, High, etc).

[Pugnate]

Depends on how the engine was optimized. The original was a heavily modified NWN engine, wasnt it? Sometimes theres only so much you can do. But with a new engine from scratch you can make some nice optimizations.

Could be lies, but who knows.

Yup you are correct.

But aside from that, I realized that those are supposed to be the "minimum requirements".

[MysterD]

Yup you are correct.

But aside from that, I realized that those are supposed to be the "minimum requirements".

I really don't like how when they mention the min. and recommended system specs, they do NOT put info of also what Resolution (800x600, 1024x768, etc) and Overall Graphics Settings the game will run on (Low, Medium, High, Ultra, etc).

If these are your guidelines for system requirements, I'd like to know what settings this is supposed to be on.

[MysterD]

Eurogamer -> Insane Difficulty Mode Revealed.

4 difficulties:
-> Easy, Medium, Hard, Insane.

On Insane:
-> You die, your saves get disabled
-> Might be resurrection scroll as DLC to bring back any disabled Insane mode saves
-> When running away, monsters will have extra special skill enabled so they catch-up to you
i.e. Undead monsters can dig into ground and then come up from underneath the ground right in front of you

Importing Saves from TW1 into TW2:
-> Certain decisions you made from TW1 will carry over into TW2
-> Certain equipment (armor, weapon) from TW1 will carry over into TW2
-> Money does NOT carry over

When starting clean with only TW2:
-> They are thinking of having for TW2 a built-in TW1 story generator at the TW2 game-start where you decide what happened in some of TW1's events (i.e. what ME2: PS3 Version does).

[MysterD]

3 page preview on IGN.

"Signs"

During battles, players won't be afforded the luxury of pausing the game whenever they want to cast a Sign. Instead, the game slows down, giving you a brief period of respite, but also a system that ensures that you have to make your choice quickly.

Talking of Signs, a new, sixth magical sign has been added to the combat mix, although the team wasn't ready to go into detail about it at this stage. On top of that, we can expect "tons of gameplay-oriented skills" to be added, which we'll be able to report in-depth on when CD Projekt is ready to let us get our grubby mitts on its new baby.

Console Version Planned

'But what about a console version' I hear you cry. Well, the news is definitely good, despite the depressing failure of the original version to make it to the 360 or PS3. "It's the first console project we would like to do," Bartkowicz confirms. "We need to do it in house. In the end we decided not to do it outsourced. We've been running some tests, and putting a small part of the game just to make sure we're not cheating anyone. We can show it to you, it is possible."

Sadly, we ran out of time to see it for our own eyes, but the fact that CD Projekt is happy to go on the record and say that it's happening is good news. In fact, the game's eventual transition to console has been planned from day one. "You can play The Witcher 2 with joypad - it's implemented. The whole interface is designed with console in mind, in fact."

[MysterD]

GameSpot - On The Spot -> 4:50 into this until 16:25, video interview w/ Tomasz Gop on TW2.

EDIT - Feb 20, 2011:
GameSpot -> Written preview on TW2 - SPOILERS Included.

[MysterD]

RockPaperShotgun -> 10 minutes of TW2 footage.

[MysterD]

GOG - Witcher 2 will only be DRM Free on GOG for the digital editions.

EDIT:
Impulse version and Gamersgate versions contains some sort of Securom protection.
D2D pulled the "NO DRM" tag away from D2D version.

[idolminds]

We're happy to announce GOG's version of highly-anticipated RPG will not contain DRM as all other downloadable versions will.

Hoping this means retail is going to be DRM free.

[MysterD]

Hoping this means retail is going to be DRM free.

We don't know...yet.

[MysterD]

Just got in an e-mail for The Witcher Newsletter about detailed System Requirements for TW2.
Here ya go.

Minimum Requirements:
Processor: Core 2Duo 2.2 GHz or dual core AMD 2.5 GHz
RAM: 1GB Win XP/ 2GB Vista/7
Graphics: GeForce 8800 512MB or Radeon (HD3850 512 MB)
HDD Space: 16 GB

Recommended Requirements:
Processor: Quad Core Intel or AMD
RAM: 3GB Win XP/ 4GB Vista/7
Graphics: GeForce 260 1GB or (HD4850 1GB)
HDD Space: 16 GB

[gpw11]

Anyone feel like playing through the first again in anticipation?

[Pugnate]

I gotta finish the first once...

[Xessive]

I kinda feel like but I have such a huge backlog right now.

[gpw11]

I kinda feel like but I have such a huge backlog right now.

Okay, lets not be pussies here.  New game out in two months, old game right in front of you.  We really got no reason NOT to.

[MysterD]

Escapist -> On The Overhauled Combat System.

The combat system in The Witcher was unusual to say the least, relying on a mix of styles, weapons and combos, backed up by potions and magical powers. Its hallmark was the rhythmic mouse clicking needed to build combos; good timing would turn you into an unstoppable dervish, whereas with bad timing you were more likely to just poke yourself in the eye.

That system is gone but the "fast" and "heavy" attack styles remain, this time mapped to the left and right mouse buttons to allow for switching between styles on the fly. Geralt will also rely more heavily on signs, the rudimentary system of magic used by Witchers, and will be able charge and aim his magical attacks. Unlike the first game, weapons other than the steel and silver Witcher swords will actually have a use and Geralt will be able to focus his training on weapons other than that traditional pair.

"The combat has absolutely not been dumbed down," Gop said. "Nor has the game been consolized."

[MysterD]

Edge -> Interview w/ Tomasz Gop of CDP.

Edge Magazine: Since the first Witcher, which games have had the biggest effect on CD Projekt's direction for The Witcher 2?

Tomasz Gop: We get inspired by many games, obviously, like any game developer. I can't say specifically whether it's Heavy Rain, Demon's Souls or Arkham Asylum that has inspired us most over the past few years – it's probably a mix of all of them. I think everyone will find elements of Demon's Souls, though, definitely. We don't auto-scale opponents, for example. If you want to compare it to anything, Demon's Souls is definitely good. I'd like that, for sure.

[gpw11]

C'mon....someone do this with me.

[Xessive]

C'mon....someone do this with me.

What are we doing with you?

My question implies that I have already agreed. I instinctively follow the beaver.

[MysterD]

Seems like GPW is trying to get a Witcher orgy going.
Geralt would be proud.

[gpw11]

Play through The Witcher before the second one comes out. 

[Xessive]

Haha I just saw The Bard: Saviors of Queens, CDProjekt RED's April Fool's thing I'd totally play that!