The Witcher 3 on consoles can simulate world states, can't import Witcher 2 saves

On PC, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can import a Witcher 2 save file to "impact your playthrough" of the third entry, but on consoles CD Projekt is taking a different approach. In a roundtable interview Level Designer Miles Tost told Joystiq that The Witcher 3 will look to simulate world states based on decisions taken in an in-game conversation.

"The way how it works is that the game on the consoles will ask you whether you want to simulate a specific state of the world, coming from previous games," Tost explained. "If you choose 'yes,' then you will get a special conversation at one part of the game - I don't want to spoil where it happens. It's basically a conversation with a character and the conversation is about the adventures of Geralt of Rivia. And you can basically deny or confirm whatever [the character] has heard of whatever tales of [Geralt.] It's actually kind of a cute mechanic. If you don't want to simulate the state then this conversation doesn't take place."

Last week saw Community & Website Coordinator Marcin Momot tease "something else" when asked about cross-platform save imports. If this is what he was referring to, then the option to simulate a world state will also be in the PC version, perhaps as an alternative to importing a Witcher 2 save file if the player doesn't have one.

Tost added that the studio wanted to build the option "into the experience" rather than have a menu or checklist. He also joked that it could serve as a test of players' memories. After all, it's been some seven years since Geralt of Rivia first witched onto our PC screens.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continues his monster-slaying saga when it hits PS4, Xbox One and PC on May 19. To see what's in the game's opening hours, check out our new preview.[Image: Bandai Namco]