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The Witcher 2 approaching a million sales
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is close to selling a million copies, a representative for developer CD Projekt Red confirmed to Joystiq earlier today. The Warsaw Business Journal reported that the studio had sold 940,000 copies of the gorgeous monster hunter RPG in the first half of 2011, following its launch on May 17. The Witcher 2 version 2.0 update for PC should arrive on September 29, alleviating the game's punishing opening and making other tweaks that should open up Geralt's excellent adventure to more players. The Xbox 360 version, which will ship with the V2.0 content, is still planned for Q1 2012.
The Witcher 2 marked down to $30 on GoG
DRM-free digital distribution platform GoG has given us another reason to get excited about Gamescom -- a reason that doesn't include the near-constant stream of tasty German beers. For the rest of the week, CD Projekt's The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings has been marked down to $29.99 on the GoG storefront.
Witcher 2 version 2.0 arriving September 29, included in Xbox 360 version
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings will be upgraded to version 2.0 on PC with an automatic update on September 29, CD Projekt revealed today at Gamescom. The free enhancements include a new tutorial system to train players on the game's mechanics, hopefully sparing the frustration of dying 18 times in the first 20 minutes of the game. It will also add a "Dark Mode" difficulty, which is like Insane Mode but allows saving. There will also be a new "Arena Mode," an arcade-style survival mode that has you hacking and slashing through wave after wave of ever-more-hearty beasts. The update throws in 20 new tech enhancements that the devs didn't delve into. CD Projekt also announced that the Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2, scheduled for Q1 2012, will include all the DLC updates to the game, including the 2.0 version.
Witcher 2 hotfix fixes Steam Achievements, 3D Vision bugs
What good is your heroic success in keeping the world of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings from slipping into ruin if none of your Steam buddies are going to hear about it? A bug in the well-received RPG kept some Steam Achievements from registering on players' accounts -- but those dark and lonely days have passed. CD Projekt Red recently launched an update for the title which remedies these incidences of accidental humility. Other problems fixed by the update include graphical snafus in 3D Vision mode, a bug which allowed antivirus software to treat game .exe files as harmful, and an error which screwed with blood textures on certain graphical settings. For instance, when the graphical quality is turned up to "savory," blood begins to look like delicious raspberry preserves.
The Witcher 2 Xbox 360 delayed until Q1 2012
CD Projekt RED announced today that the Xbox 360 "adaptation" of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings will arrive in the first quarter for 2012. The developers stated that the extra time will allow them to improve the game -- which they are saying is not a "typical port" -- and resolve the legal dispute with Namco Bandai in which it's currently involved. The Witcher 2 for Xbox 360 will be playable at the upcoming Gamescom 2011 show in Germany in Hall 6 (Stand C021). CD Projekt will also reveal upcoming DLC for the PC version, following an "as-yet-unannounced update". An update that was, by definition, just announced... but apparently doesn't have a name or any details to share yet.
The Witcher 2 1.3 patch out now, grab A Sackful of Fluff
Our two biggest issues with CD Projekt's otherwise wonderful RPG The Witcher 2 were (in order of importance) that the prologue's tutorial was way too rushed, and that our sacks were way too devoid of soft textiles. The developer has announced the arrival of Update 1.3, a patch which adds an item storage system, a Quickload hotkey and support for a number of aspect ratios. The dragon section of the prologue can only be accessed after completing earlier sections, now, so you'll actually know what's going on before you get roasted. There's also a new, downloadable quest titled "A Sackful of Fluff," which players will encounter in the middle of Chapter 2. According to the patch notes, "The quest will prove most rewarding to those who demonstrate patience." This can only mean one thing: Geralt will be tasked with meticulously stuffing pillows for loot and experience points. That is literally the only thing this can mean.
The Witcher 2 patch 1.3 detailed, includes free DLC
The Witcher 2's patch 1.3 still doesn't have a release date, but we do have more details about its fixes and goodies. Patch 1.3 will allow item storage at the game's inns, new aspect-ratio support and will include a free DLC quest that sounds more like it belongs in LittleBigPlanet, "A Sackful of Fluff." The patch will also fix a slew of issues, including patch installation causing the game to reset to default, map pin problems -- and the option to fistfight the woman praying at a statue in Vergen, which has now been deactivated. The full list of patch 1.3 updates can be found here.
Namco Bandai files suit over Witcher 2's European publishing
Okay, this is going to get confusing. Namco Bandai is suing Optimus SA, parent company of CD Projekt Red, over the European console publishing rights for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. It claims that Optimus failed to meet its commitment with Namco Bandai when it gave THQ the rights to distribute the Xbox version of the game in some parts of Europe. What does Namco Bandai have to do with The Witcher? Namco Bandai actually owns the European distribution business of Atari (who will publish the console release in North America, and who published the PC version in Europe), after purchasing it in 2009. For its part, Optimus says that it only signed a distribution deal with N amco for the PC version, and had its choice of distributor for the console release. In addition, Namco Bandai claims CD Projekt Red violated its agreement when it spontaneously removed DRM from all versions of The Witcher 2. As a result, Namco is withholding payment of around €1.255 million ($1.8 million) -- a threat to which Optimus president Adam Kicinski blithely responded (as translated by Google): "Our liquidity situation is very good. Therefore, the lack of a few million does not have any leverage on current activities. Withholding of payments means only that for some time, our partner will have to give us the money with interest." He added that he was confident the case would be settled before it went to court -- or, if not, Optimus will win the case "and then the loser will pay for our lawyers." Wow.
THQ to publish The Witcher 2 for Xbox 360 in several international regions
The Witcher 2 is coming to Xbox 360, and not since EA's landmark Skitchin' have we been so excited for a game with a made-up "itch" word in the title. But what of our friends in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East? Will they have to live with an itcher they can't scratcher? Not if THQ has anything to say about it. And it does. Because it publishes games. The company announced this morning that it will be bringing the game to 360 in the aforementioned territories. We'd still argue that North American publisher Atari is a better fit for a game about prestidigitation (as its continued existence as an operating entity almost certainly required use of the dark arts), but we'll take what we can get.
Amazon's vorpal sword cuts $20 off Alice: Madness Returns
As if it'd taken a swig from a bottle labeled "Drink Me," the price tag on Alice: Madness Returns has diminished in size at Amazon. This week only, the retailer is offering American McGee's second excursion into Wonderland for $20 off, making it $40 on PS3 and 360 and $30 on PC. The deal is available only "while supplies last," and joins similar week-long discounts on Brink and The Witcher 2 -- which is also a fantasy game, but features far fewer flying pig snouts.
Witcher 2 senior producer Tomek Gop leaves CD Projekt Red [update]
As CD Projekt Red crams The Witcher 2 onto the Xbox 360, it does so without senior producer Tomek Gop. The developer's LinkedIn profile indicates that he left CD Projekt Red sometime in June, after being at the company since March 2006. His time there included stints as a producer on The Witcher 2 and the RED Engine, and as a "production coordinator" on the first Witcher. GOG PR manager Lukasz Kukawski told VG247 that Gop had apparently left not only CD Projekt Red, but the game industry in general, though no information was provided about his future plans. Update: CD Projekt confirmed Gop's departure in a statement to Joystiq, also including a note from Gop saying that his reasons for leaving were "mainly personal." And as for leaving the game industry, Gop said "though possible, I wouldn't bet on it. It's addictive..." Also, Lukasz Kukawski is the PR manager for Good Old Games, not CDP. We've corrected that reference.
The Witcher 2 patch trims sprawling saves (and Geralt's hair)
You'd think the witcher would have a potion to eradicate unruly hair, but apparently even he needs to consult the barber from time to time. CD Projekt has bundled the free "Barbers and Coiffeuses" DLC with the latest Witcher 2 patch (version 1.2), allowing Geralt to alter his hairstyle "for a small fee" in each chapter. And knowing his knack for crafting, he'll probably put the hair trimmings to good use in making a foul-smelling elixir. In addition to injecting all previously released DLC, the new patch also addresses the issue of a sprawling save directory. Save files are now compressed, and an in-game option to delete them has been added. According to the patch notes, controller analogue sticks should also be responsive in menus again (especially helpful in the radial combat menu), the prologue battle should be more balanced, and The Witcher 1 saves should import correctly. CD Projekt has stated that all corrections will carry over to the upcoming Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings.
CD Projekt on The Witcher 2's sales, update and bringing the game to Xbox 360
Joystiq got to meet up with CD Projekt on the windy roof of a hotel in Venice, CA earlier today where the company's "Summer Days" streamed press conference was going on and have a quick chat about what was announced. Senior Producer Tomasz Gop and level designer Marek Ziemak kindly answered our questions, the first of which was how the company felt the Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings launch went. "We can dream about more," said Gop, "but this was really good. We didn't set a milestone where we'd be happy or not. This is really good, we're not disappointed at all."
The Witcher 2 drops to $40 on Amazon
Look, we get it: You don't want to buy a game until you know it's good enough for the President of the United States. We hear you, bud, and you're in luck! The Witcher 2 is totally a game in the Presidential library! Thus we'd like to inform you of a sale at Amazon. The game is available right now at a reduced cost of $40, both as physical media and a direct download. And if you're looking for further reason why you should care, know that we liked the game and stuff. We're no President by any means, but we're constantly asked to furnish a birth certificate to prove our citizenship. It doesn't help that it's our parents who keep requesting it, but still. That basically makes us President, right? If you're not into that whole smiling logo thing, Steam also has the game on sale for $40. [Thanks, Tyler C]
The Witcher 2 casting spells on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011
During its "Summer Days" presentation in Los Angeles this afternoon, developer CD Projekt Red announced intentions to release critically acclaimed The Witcher 2 on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011. The confirmation comes after months of back-and-forth over the possibility of a console release, and hot off the bewitched heels of an ESRB rating for the game on Xbox 360. Little is known about how exactly the title's gameplay, not to mention its impressive graphics engine, will translate to 360, but we're sure to find out more in the coming weeks. We'll keep an eye ... er ... ear on the streaming press conference as well and update this story as it develops. Update: During the stage presentation, CD Projekt Red representatives pointed out that the Xbox 360 version will include all PC updates that have taken place since the game's launch. A teaser was also shown off (which we'll have for you soon), though no gameplay has been revealed as of yet -- it'll be shown off during E3. The reps also pointed out that the 360 version will look close or on par with the PC version, and also called it an "adaptation, not a port." Update 2: The teaser is now live after the break!
The Witcher 2 review: Taught with peril
Describing the opening moments of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings as a "trial by fire" is almost too trite to bear, but don't tell me it isn't accurate. As the dragon swoops overhead and incinerates you yet again, you'll understand that the game's method of delivering a tutorial, which is to whisper it to you in passing, has failed. Your repeated, humiliating immolation isn't even enough to summon a helpful tip. When one of the characters asks the witcher how one handles such a beast, he responds, "You don't. You run!" That's the advice from Geralt, professional monster hunter.
President Obama gifted The Witcher 2 from Polish Prime Minister
During his tour of Europe, President Obama visited Poland and received a somewhat unusual gift from that country's Prime Minister: A copy of Warsaw-based CD Projekt's latest title, the excellent Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. Sure, he also got an iPad loaded with Polish movies and some translated novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of The Witcher, but knowing the President's fondness for interactive witchering, it seems clear to us what the most notable gift was. There's only one problem ... everyone knows President Obama uses a Mac. [Update: CD Projekt, fulfilling its role as proud papa, issued a press release dedicated to the gift. "This is an extraordinary acknowledgement of our hard work here at CD Projekt RED," game director Adam Badowski said. "The Witcher 2 is a game we created for players around the world by drawing from various sources including our national heritage. We are truly pleased to promote our culture in this manner. And we aren't resting on our laurels. We are continuing to improve the game post-release, and will reveal more during our conference on June 2nd." You can find the full press release after the break.]
The Witcher 2 patch delayed due to server infrastructure issue [update: available now!]
You might have noticed that, despite the announcement of a Witcher 2 patch yesterday, you didn't download a Witcher 2 patch yesterday. The patch is finished, CD Projekt reports, but can't be delivered yet due to a server issue. " The bad news," the Witcher 2 community site reports, "is that we have encountered some problems with the server infrastructure, making downloading DLCs impossible." Ironically, the patch contains fixes for the DLC download process. We aren't sure if it would fix the problem with this download, but what a Catch-22 if it would! CD Projekt pledged to keep fans updated about when they can get this update, the first of two that have been announced so far. Update: The patch is available now through the website, and as a nice bonus, DRM is now disabled!
Two Witcher 2 patches coming, including one today
A blog post on the Witcher 2 site details a patch (or, as we're going to refer to it from now on, a "Patcher") that developer CD Projekt plans to release tonight. Version 1.1 streamlines the installation process, fixes an issue with the free "Troll Trouble" DLC (which is included in the patch files), enhances framerate and loading, and fixes "random crashes occurring on some systems, especially after saving and loading saves." Find the full changelist -- with many other welcome fixes -- at the official site. Even as work finishes up on this patcher, CD Projekt is working on another, due next week, that should fix even more Witcher glitchers.
ESRB rates Witcher 2 for Xbox 360 [update 2: CD Projekt responds]
For some of us, the recommended specs for The Witcher 2 are, let's say, a little daunting. It is thus with a heart full of hope that we look at a recent ESRB rating for an Xbox 360 version. The rating was discovered by Eurogamer, which adds that CD Projekt is planning to announce a game at E3 "that console gamers might be interested in." CD Projekt has been cautious about a potential console release of The Witcher 2 for some time, though it's aware of the size of the console audience. Given the very warm critical reception The Witcher 2 has received so far, a console port would probably be a safe bet. It's also worth noting that the PC version already plays well with a controller -- the menus even reflect Xbox 360 button mapping when using an Xbox 360 controller. Update: The ESRB has removed Xbox 360 as a platform in its Witcher 2 listing. We've reached out to CD Projekt for comment. Update 2: CD Projekt has responded to Joystiq, saying, "We've said for some time that we'd love to bring The Witcher 2 to consoles, but we haven't made any announcements to that effect. Our focus has been and continues to be on the PC version. We're going to be showing off something at E3, and we'll announce what that is shortly before the show."
