Spaceships and Superheroes Inspired The Witcher 2

[Logan Westbrook]

Spaceships and Superheroes Inspired The Witcher 2

CD Projekt RED doesn't just make games, it plays them too, and it's not about to pretend that it hasn't picked up a few ideas.

It's not Tolkien or Dungeons & Dragons that CD Projekt RED is drawing inspiration from for The Witcher 2; it's Arkham Asylum, Mass Effect and Heavy Rain. Tomasz Gop, senior producer for The Witcher 2, said that the developer tried to play as many major games as it could, and cited the three as having inspired some element of The Witcher 2.

Gop said that Arkham Asylum was a game that had a very in-depth combat system, but remained accessible at the same time. He said that it was possible to fight "mindlessly" in the game, but it was equally possible to plan for combat encounters, learn moves, and really master the system. He said that was something that CD Project RED was trying to achieve with The Witcher 2, and wasn't afraid to admit that Arkham Asylum had been an inspiration.

When it came to Mass Effect and Heavy Rain, Gop said they had inspired the way the The Witcher 2 told its story. The sex scenes in Heavy Rain had been part of the reason that CD Projekt RED had changed the way that it handled sex in The Witcher 2, Gop said, from the collectible cards of the first game to something more story-driven and cinematic. Mass Effect had inspired the streamlined conversation system in The Witcher 2, although Gop stressed that CD Projekt RED hadn't used the rather clear cut morality of BioWare's sci-fi RPG.

It's a little unusual for a developer to be so candid about being inspired by competitors' games, but there are much worse games to be drawing inspiration from. The Witcher 2 is scheduled for release early next year.

Source: Gamasutra [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6042/working_in_a_dying_genre_on_a_.php?page=2]


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[icyneesan]

Game sounds more and more awesome every minute I read it.

Now I just have to hope for something like in the first game with the fiery dogs and angry villagers that all want to KILL me. God I loved that part.

And then I remember the reason I had to get into the damn city

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

Oh man, I'm imagining a combat system like Arkham Asylum's that utilizes swords and sorcery right now, and it is a freaking awesome concept - the way combat flowed in Arkham was positively brilliant, the fights actually felt real.

 

[unacomn]

OK, not the most inspiring thing I've heard so far. Making the combat akin to Batman Arkham Asylum is like improving a one legged man's condition by chopping off his other leg. I expected the combat to have more depth this time around, not more one button click fest.
Then there's the Mass Effect thing. Well, at least it's the first one and not the second one.

 

[Jared]

Well, they are drawing inspiration from good places, that much is true. I didnt like first game too much, but im not afraid to try give second benefit of the doubt

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

Maybe the sequel will be saved from the dreary point and click blandness.....

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

OK, not the most inspiring thing I've heard so far. Making the combat akin to Batman Arkham Asylum is like improving a one legged man's condition by chopping off his other leg. I expected the combat to have more depth this time around, not more one button click fest.
Then there's the Mass Effect thing. Well, at least it's the first one and not the second one.

Did you play BB:AA? Is more than whack a button, its as complex as god of war but can be done with 2-3 buttons that have to be timed right other wise forget it.

 

[Undead Dragon King]

Arkham Asylum had some of the best-looking combat I've ever seen in a game. The sheer fluidity of Bruce Wayne's ass-kickery was a marvel to behold. I thought The Witcher had a novel combat system, but it could quicky degenerate into "select correct sword and style and rhythmically click until the enemy falls over". I'm really excited for the combat now if they draw from Batman.

And if Mass Effect-esque cutscenes and conversation are involved, this should get very interesting. I should say, however, that projekt RED is wrong in regards of clear-cut morality, specifically concerning Mass Effect 2. Many of the decisions in Mass Effect 2 were morally ambiguous.

 

[Gaderael]

In my mind, CD Projekt can do no wrong. The Witcher was a fantastic game, and one of the most original that I have played in a long time.

I cannot wait to get the second game. Hell, even if they come close to matching the Arkham Asylum combat system, the game will kick much butt.

 

[Sartan0]

I am keeping an eye on this one for sure! Enjoying the first one in small bites as a break from other games. It is refreshingly story based.

 

[praetor_alpha]

Great. Can't wait for it.

Mass Effect decisions very rarely have some element of gray in them. Kill the council, save their ignorant asses: suffer the same casualties and same setbacks. Stuff like Bring down the sky and Zaeed's mission have some gray in them, but that's just pansy.

But in the Witcher, letting the elves have their supplies had completely unintended side effects.