Witcher 2 Studio Approaching Consoles With "Caution"

[Andy Chalk]

Witcher 2 Studio Approaching Consoles With "Caution"

CD Projekt says The Witcher 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Witcher-2-Assassins-Kings-Collectors-Pc/dp/B004CQRCF4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290801821&sr=8-2] is "doable" on consoles thanks to the multi-platform technology at use in the new game engine, but the studio is taking a cautious approach because it's never actually made a console game before.

There's been a lot of talk about bringing The Witcher 2 to consoles. A console version of the original game, entitled Rise of the White Wolf, was in the works but CD Projekt [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/91327-UPDATED-Rise-of-the-White-Wolf-Suspended-Over-Pay-Dispute] has said in the past that it could happen, there are also a good number of reasons why it might not.

Technologically, the new engine is quite capable of running with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, according to senior producer Tomasz Gop. "We're doing everything we can to make sure one day The Witcher 2 will be released on the current generation of consoles," he told Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-25-will-the-witcher-2-come-to-console]. "We already have performed a lot of tests. We're doing a reality check every half a year or so. We take a level from the game and we try to put it inside our engine, because it's console capable on Xbox 360 and PS3."

Gop said that if a console version of the game is made, it would be out within "a matter of months" of the PC release. But the focus right now is solely on the PC and he "strongly encouraged" gamers to opt for that version, even if they own a console. He also cited "time, people and money" as the big limitations on the development of console versions of the game, along with the fact that CD Projekt doesn't want to rush headlong into unfamiliar territory.

"We have not released any console games yet," he added. "That's why we're approaching this topic with even more caution."

Despite the hesitation, CD Projekt CEO Marcin Iwinski echoed Gop's remark that a lot of gamers don't play on PCs anymore. "We know how many players, especially in the U.K. as well as in the U.S., play on Xbox 360," he said. "We are pretty good at maths."

The Witcher 2 is slated for release on May 17, 2011.


Permalink

 

[Irridium]

So they're approaching this logically?

Good. If they do make a console version, hopefully it'll be a great port instead of a crappy port.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Yes! Please bring Witcher 2 to consoles! And resurrect Rise of the White Wolf while you are at it!

 

[unacomn]

I do hope that means that all the quick-time events I've seen so far in the demos are intended for the console version.
I hate quick-time events, they are mock-gameplay.

 

[Woodsey]

"Despite the hesitation, CD Projekt CEO Marcin Iwinski echoed Gop's remark that a lot of gamers don't play on PCs anymore."

I assuming he's mainly talking about Western Europe and the States, because from my understanding the platform is huge in Eastern Europe as well as South Korea (although I'm not sure how much other than Starcraft gets through).

 

[theriddlen]

It's obvious that they're making a console version. While their main, "honor" target is PC, they surely count on the revenue from console version.

 

[doomboy29]

"We are pretty good at maths."

This made me laugh for some reason
OT:I really don't think that the Witcher will be that successful on the consoles.

 

[Tom Phoenix]

"Despite the hesitation, CD Projekt CEO Marcin Iwinski echoed Gop's remark that a lot of gamers don't play on PCs anymore."

I assuming he's mainly talking about Western Europe and the States, because from my understanding the platform is huge in Eastern Europe as well as South Korea (although I'm not sure how much other than Starcraft gets through).

It's more like the US, UK and Australia. In some western European countries, like France and Germany, the PC is still very much a relevant platform. It goes without saying that the PC is an important platform in Eastern Europe and South Korea (in Korea, console gaming is an exception rather than the norm).

 

[Choppaduel]

YES! YES!

Developers are collectively waking up. This console cycle needs to end.

 

[Trivun]

I actually applaud CD Projekt for this approach. It shows that they really are dedicated to bringing out a game that works really well and that people will be happy with, instead of succumbing to the mad pressure to get it out on console to make more money without caring about making sure the game is as good on console as it is on PC. Too many developers and publishers nowadays just care about the money, and not the games, so it's refreshing to see a developer already known for good games keeping their priorities straight in this modern age of gaming.

The Witcher is one of many games I would love to play, though I can't buy it now because my CD drive has broken on my laptop (I really should get it fixed but the last time I sent my laptop away for repairs, for a damaged keyboard, it cost over £60 and took more than two weeks to fix, and I don't want to be without my laptop or money for so long again if it's not important). Either way, I'm certainly looking forward to the release of The Witcher 2 (and hopefully by then my laptop will be fixed and I'll have actually played the first game ).

 

[Actual]

I'm impressed by their attitude, obviously they want the additional sales that a console port would bring but they're not willing to abandon quality, as many other developers would, to do it.

 

[Crimsonshadow66]

I hope they dont push the release date of the PC version back just to get a console version out.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

I can't see the Witcher 2's combat system be doable using a console controller. It will end up feeling restricted, just like it did in Dragon Age: Origins. Still, as long as they can pull it off without sacrificing the quality of the PC release then by all means, go for it. Just don't expect a game mainly known to PC gamers to succeed on the consoles without Activision's whole marketing department backing you up.

 

[Rad Party God]

I'm glad they're using their brains and not their wallets.

TBH I see it pretty hard to make the game work in a console controller, but IF they kinda figure it out, then it's gonna give Fable and many other console RPGs a run for their money.

THIS is a true RPG and I can't wait for it to release (I simply love the release date, one day before my B-Day).

The Witcher is one of many games I would love to play, though I can't buy it now because my CD drive has broken on my laptop (I really should get it fixed but the last time I sent my laptop away for repairs, for a damaged keyboard, it cost over £60 and took more than two weeks to fix, and I don't want to be without my laptop or money for so long again if it's not important). Either way, I'm certainly looking forward to the release of The Witcher 2 (and hopefully by then my laptop will be fixed and I'll have actually played the first game ).

If that's your only concern, you can buy the game from Steam and download it directly to your drive, unless you're afraid/against digital distribution.

 

[Sneaklemming]

Yes! Please bring Witcher 2 to consoles! And resurrect Rise of the White Wolf while you are at it!

Why don't the console people just buy it for PC... It's not like you don't have one - and the chances are if you do have one, and bought it in the last half-decade you'll be able to play witcher 1... maybe witcher 2... depends how optimised it is really.

Remember folks... you can usually drag down the graphics to sub-xbox levels on a PC if you have an old one.

 

[Sneaklemming]

The Witcher is one of many games I would love to play, though I can't buy it now because my CD drive has broken on my laptop (I really should get it fixed but the last time I sent my laptop away for repairs, for a damaged keyboard, it cost over £60 and took more than two weeks to fix, and I don't want to be without my laptop or money for so long again if it's not important). Either way, I'm certainly looking forward to the release of The Witcher 2 (and hopefully by then my laptop will be fixed and I'll have actually played the first game ).

http://store.steampowered.com/app/20900 [http://store.steampowered.com/app/20900]

 

[Irridium]

So they're approaching this logically?

Good. If they do make a console version, hopefully it'll be a great port instead of a crappy port.

Better a crappy port than no port at all though right?


My only question is whether or not we will have needed to have played the first one to understand the story in this one?

I thought a bad port would be better then no port. Then I tried GTA IV and Saint's Row 2 on the PC.

My god they were just abysmal.

And from what I understand, no you won't need to know the story of the first. There's most likely going to be a few references, but I doubt it'll be anything major.