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What to expect at E3 2019
We're barely a week away from the start of E3 2019 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California! This year's event may be missing one of its stalwarts now that Sony has announced that it will not have a presence but there will be news aplenty from the show floor. Let's take a look at some of the anticipated high points.
Off the Grid: The Witcher Adventure Game and Star Wars Imperial Assault
Like most sci-fi shows on Fox, Off the Grid is getting canceled (we're all saying goodbye, actually). In this series finale of the board and card game series I had hoped to evolve over time, we're keeping our spirits high with a look at two recent, fantastic releases from publisher Fantasy Flight Games: The Witcher Adventure Game and Star Wars: Imperial Assault.
Watch 14 minutes of The Witcher 3's gameplay
Have you finished reading about the first three hours of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? If you don't want the wild ride to end, then check out this 14-minute gameplay trailer to see some horseback riding, conversations and exploration in the game. The Witcher 3 will launch on May 19 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. While the PC game can import save files from The Witcher 2, the console versions will not. Rather, the PS4 and Xbox one versions will simulate world states in the game based on an in-game conversation. The Witcher 3 was previously expected to launch next month, but CD Projekt RED delayed the game back in December. [Image: WBIE]
The Witcher 3 PC requirements are hefty, not surprising
The minimum and recommended PC requirements for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are on the higher end of things, CD Projekt RED announced via Twitter today. Minimum specs include an Intel i5 processor, 6GB RAM, DX11 and 40GB hard drive space. Recommended specs include an i7 processor, 8GB RAM, DX11 and 40GB hard drive space. See the full requirements in the below press release. The Witcher series has set a high standard for itself, in terms of graphics and massiveness. In December, CD Projekt RED delayed The Witcher 3 from a February launch to May 19, 2015, citing many in-game details that required further completion and tweaking. "When we release the most important game in our studio's history, we must be absolutely sure that we did everything we could to limit any bugs to a level that will allow you to enjoy the game thoroughly," CD Projekt RED said. Days after the delay announcement, President and Joint CEO Adam Kicinski said that fans took the news well. "[The] market is afraid of badly polished games on next-gen platforms," he said. [Image: CD Projekt RED]
Gaze upon The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's steelbook art
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Collector's Edition steelbooks will be beautiful in addition to sturdy, judging by the artwork StudioKxx has designed for their covers. Which of three designs from the gallery below will you choose when Wild Hunt launches on May 19? [Image: StudioKxx, CD Projekt Red]
Mystery girl Ciri joins The Witcher 3 as new playable lead
Where previous games have exclusively dropped players into the boots of Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt includes a new playable character: a mysterious white-haired young woman named Ciri. "A descendant in a long-lost Elven-blood lineage, Ciri plays an important role in the Witcher lore - a powerful, living weapon capable of both healing and destroying the world she inhabits," reads developer CD Projekt RED's official description. "As Ciri is pursued by the Wild Hunt, a cavalcade of ghastly riders capable of unspeakable destruction, as well as the mighty Empire of Nilfgaard, it's down to Geralt to explore The Witcher 3's vast, open world to find her before anyone else does." The studio remains largely coy on what Ciri brings to combat, though it does note that she's an agile swordfighter with short-range teleportation abilities and a dark, possibly cataclysmic secret. Though Ciri brings a novel face to the series, CD Projekt RED stresses that Geralt is still the star of The Witcher 3. "Adding Ciri as a playable character unlocks quite a few narrative possibilities for the team, though while Ciri is a major character, she is not a playable character in the same way as Geralt - the game is still about him, his story and how you, as the player, choose to face the choices and encounters in front of you," the developer stated. How the presence of a female protagonist might affect the series' traditionally libertine approach to nudity is unknown, but the developer claims more information on Ciri's role in The Witcher 3 is coming shortly. Barring further delays, The Witcher 3 is slated to reach the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on May 19. [Image: CD Projekt RED]
The Witcher 3 dev: The market is afraid of badly-polished games
When CD Projekt RED delayed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to May 19, 2015 earlier this week, the developer said it saw "many details that need to be corrected" in the game before it was ready to launch. The group's President and Joint CEO Adam Kicinski added to that statement, telling Polish financial journalists (as translated by Eurogamer) that the studio's fans "took our decision very well. [The] market is afraid of badly polished games on next-gen platforms." While Kicinski did not name any games or developers in particular, games such as Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Unity, Sony's DriveClub and Microsoft's Halo: The Master Chief Collection encountered varying, severe issues at their respective launches on PS4 and Xbox One this year. The CD Projekt head also said the developer wants "to disarm the opinion that [The Witcher 3] doesn't exist. It will be closed by the end of the year in line with the schedule." Kicinski said there are "a lot of small errors" in the game, which are "the only reason behind the delay," and that the company doesn't want to "release the game with bugs that undermine the gameplay." CD Projekt admitted it "set the release date too hastily" when it aimed for February 2015, which itself was a delay from The Witcher 3's previous 2014 launch window. [Image: WBIE]
The Witcher 3 delayed to May 2015
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been delayed to May 19, 2015, CD Projekt RED announced. The game was previously expected to launch in February 2015, but the studio said it sees "many details that need to be corrected" as the game nears the end of its development. "When we release the most important game in our studio's history, we must be absolutely sure that we did everything we could to limit any bugs to a level that will allow you to enjoy the game thoroughly," the developer added. CD Projekt said it "set the release date too hastily," and that it owes its fans an apology for the delay. "It's a hard lesson, one to take to heart for the future. We know what we want to do to make Wild Hunt one of the best RPGs you will ever play. And we continue to work hard to achieve just that," the developer said. The Witcher 3 is in development for PC, Xbox One and PS4. [Image: WBIE]
Joystiq Giveaway: The Witcher Adventure Game
Geralt of Rivia is awesome. His friends are awesome. Whether you've partaken of CD Projekt Red's RPG pleasure in The Witcher video games or tumbled down the rabbit hole of Andrzej Sapkowski's novels, the general awesomeness of Geralt and his pals is impossible to deny. The guy's a mutated, long-lived, magic-practicing swordsman alchemist who seems like a lothario but has a heart of gold. His best friends are a bad ass sorceress and a poet who's also a spy. If you and your friends are planning to sit around a table playing board games, you could hardly ask for better characters to inhabit in the process. Thankfully, there's Fantasy Flight's The Witcher Adventure Game to scratch that itch. Fantasy Flight Games, CD Projekt and Joystiq are giving away a copy of the new board game in our latest raffle! How do you get your hands on it? Just use the Rafflecopter widget below between December 5 and December 12. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via email. Full rules and details after the break. Joystiq Giveaway: The Witcher Adventure Game [Images: Fantasy Flight Games/CD Projekt Red]
The Witcher Adventure Game's video tutorial explains the race for Victory Points
As is the case with most fantasy adventures, digital (and real-world) board game The Witcher Adventure Game gets complicated. Thankfully, series developer CD Projeket RED has put together the in-depth introduction above, which familiarizes would-be heroes with its card types, status ailments, battle system and general progression. While the tutorial is dense in useful information and examples, the simplified take is that two to four players race to finish main quests before their fellow players. Once a player's third main quest is completed, the game ends after one more turn from all other players. Glory is granted to whoever holds the most Victory Points at the end, a form of score earned by completing sidequests, investigating leads, besting monsters or performing other actions. The Witcher Adventure Game will let dice fly on PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices in 2014 and is currently available for pre-order at Good Old games for $8.99. A physical version from Fantasy Flight Games is also expected to ship later this month.
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt includes 16 free DLC packs
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will have 16 post-launch DLC packs, all of them free. Witcher 3 launches on February 24, and the first DLC drop is on February 25, including two content packs, the Temerian Armor Set (horse armor included) and a Beard and Hairstyle Set for the main character, Geralt. Each week after release, two more DLC packs will launch for the game until all 16 are distributed. Yes, for free. Developer CD Projekt Red stresses that there's no need to pre-order or get a special edition to receive the DLC. In an open letter, CEO Marcin Iwiński says the following: "As gamers, we nowadays have to hold on tight to our wallets, as surprisingly right after release, lots of tiny pieces of tempting content materialize with a steep price tag attached. Haven't we just paid a lot of cash for a brand new game? As CD PROJEKT RED, we strongly believe this is not the way it should work and, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, we have decided to do it differently. Cutting to the chase, everyone who buys Wild Hunt will receive 16 specially prepared DLCs absolutely for free, regardless of platform." [Image: CD Projekt Red]
Witcher Battle Arena enters closed beta on Android
The Witcher Battle Arena, a free-to-play mobile MOBA, has launched its closed beta for Android devices. Interested participants can sign up at the game's site for access. No word yet on timing for iOS testing. "Designed with fairness in mind, the game features no pay-to-win elements and allows players to unlock every piece of in-game content via gameplay," noted the company's announcement today. "Closed Beta focuses on balancing gameplay, fixing potential netcode issues and further refining in-game features."
Mobile MOBA Witcher Battle Arena seeks beta testers
While the interminable wait for The Witcher 3 drags on, developer CD Projekt RED has opened beta sign-ups for the game's spin-off multiplayer online battle arena game, the aptly-titled Witcher Battle Arena. Though developer Fuero Games offers no word on when the beta test will commence, it does explain what would-be testers are signing up for. "Upon being granted access to the event, selected participants will be given the possibility to playtest 8 heroes on two maps playable in Conquest Mode -The Arena and Korath Desert," reads the developer's official announcement. "Players will also have the opportunity to develop their player profiles in an RPG fashion, as well as help to test several other functionalities present in the full game coming later this year." To sign up for the imminent beta test, CD Projekt RED asks that fans enter their pertinent details on the game's beta website. Be aware though, this beta test is only seeking Android users. Sorry Apple fans, but if it's any consolation you can find a brand new trailer for Witcher Battle Arena beyond the break. [Image: CD Projekt RED]
35 minutes of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt gameplay
If you didn't have the opportunity to travel all the way to Gamescom last week and check out the latest footage of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in action, are you ever in luck right now! Here's 35 minutes taken directly from the presentation at last week's show. Now, there are some elements from the Gamescom presentation missing in the video and we should point these out for you. First, you won't have to make an appointment to see it. Next, you won't be packed into a really warm room with comfy chairs where you may or may not fall asleep on your boss' shoulder (Sorry, Ludwig). Three ... no, seriously, accidentally snuggling your boss gets really weird quick. Check out the video after the break. The video of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, not of me snuggling Ludwig. That'll require a Joystiq Premium membership.
The Witcher 3's 'Gwent' mini-game is quite a card
The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt will feature a card game within the open-world RPG, CD Project Red revealed. "Gwent" is a "fast-paced card game" invented by dwarves that includes four factions. Players duel with other characters using over 150 playing cards with multiple combat styles, heroes and spells. Gwent represents a "clash of two armies locked in mortal struggle on a battlefield," in which players' decks act as their forces. The developer also revealed the inclusion of bonus physical goodies for the Xbox One Collector's Edition of The Witcher 3. In addition to the 200-page artbook, medallion, steelbook and cases, limited edition Xbox One owners will receive a a cloth map of the game's world and two physical Gwent card decks. Best Buy, GameStop and Walmart listings peg the Collector's Edition at roughly $150. The Witcher 3 will launch on February 24, 2015 for PS4, Xbox One and PC. [Image: WBIE]
Live improv saves the day when Witcher 3 SDCC panel goes awry
Pop quiz, hotshot. You're at the San Diego Comic-Con panel for The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. A demo showing live gameplay has started, but none of the characters' voices are working. You've got a packed room full of fans who want to see the game in presentable condition, and not enough time to start over and try again. What do you do? What do you do? Well, if you're Doug Cockle, voice actor behind Witcher series hero Geralt of Rivia, you start performing your lines live. Despite the potentially embarrassing circumstances, Witcher 3 developer CD Projekt RED has taken its technologically-challenged SDCC panel and made it available for viewing in a video showing Cockle's live improv outtakes. If you've ever wanted to hear Geralt call a big, burly bald man "cute," well ... now's your chance. [Image: CD Projekt RED]
A new wave of wild hunters invited to The Witcher: Adventure Game beta
GOG.com is rolling out a new wave of invites to its closed beta for The Witcher: Adventure Game, a flurry of Twitter traffic indicates. The Witcher: Adventure Game began life as a board game inspired by developer CD Projekt Red's popular RPG series – itself an adaptation of a Polish novel series. Though the beta originally began in July, invites were limited to pre-order customers of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt; access is now being doled out to users that registered on GOG.com's Galaxy website. Registration is still open. "The purpose of the beta is to test both the game as well as GOG Galaxy infrastructure powering the online portion of it," an email to beta testers reveals. The beta is available on PC and Mac. GOG Galaxy, announced prior to E3 2014, is a Steam-like client which allows players to access their game libraries, earn achievements and can be used to connect with others for multiplayer gaming action. During its announcement, GOG.com bosses promised the online functionality of the client is completely optional, reenforcing its commitment to DRM-free game distribution. Beta play is limited to online play only, though the final product is expected to feature a "hot seat" mode and "vs AI" modes. Check out a closer look to the board game version of The Witcher: Adventure Game in the gallery below. [Images: CD Projekt]
The Witcher: Battle Arena MOBA due out Q4 2014
CD Projekt Red's first foray into multiplayer Witcher territory isn't an MMORPG but rather a MOBA. Not only is The Witcher: Battle Arena a MOBA, but it's a mobile MOBA that's due for Android, iOS, and Windows tablets and phones sometime during Q4 2014. "There will be a monster-hunting mode, kind of an isometric multiplayer [in the future]," explains project manager Tadek Zielinski. "There will be a boss mode, where you will be able to fight the bosses -- that will be purely a (player verses enemy) experience. And we are thinking of other competitive modes. We have a classic one-lane MOBA experience with towers, but we have a different approach because we don't want to have minions, we don't want to have farming."
Witcher mobile MOBA cast on tablets later this year
The Witcher Battle Arena is the best parts of what happens when a company like CD Projekt Red, developer of ambitious RPGs like The Witcher series, gets outside its comfort zone and thinks about making something as ubiquitous as another MOBA. A saturated genre that is so easily dismissed with an eye-roll and a yawn, but what the hardcore RPG studio is doing with the genre was actually quite intuitive when I recently got some hands-on time with it. Designed by CD Projekt Red and developed by Fuero Games, the tablet MOBA is a fast-paced 3v3 arena combat game that takes less than 10 minutes per match. As one developer acknowledged: a match had to fit within acceptable toilet time.
The massive, bloody world of The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt
Though the first two Witcher games offered a very convincing dark fantasy, roleplaying experience, too often they forced players to follow a linear, almost claustrophobic path. Not so in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, where climbing to the top of a mountain offers an immense vista populated entirely by locations players can actually visit. But it's not just the structure of the virtual realm that impresses, as The Witcher 3 is defined by its smaller components: the slick of a puddle lying in the middle of a city street, a murky, methane haze rising from swamplands and mummified bats decorating the home of a magically-inclined crone. "At CD Projekt RED we pride ourselves on our attention to detail," the developers told me during a screening of the game's early moments. "It's all these details and more that make The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt a true open-world experience." [Image: CD Projekt RED]
