CDPr and gog are separate companies under an umbrella, not sure if it’s GOG under CDPr or both under something else. But there is no reason to assume that it would appear here just because they are under the same umbrella. Just look at some of the decisions made, it doesn’t necessarily need to make sense, or particularly care what kickback there is. GOG sell epic games via galaxy. If CDPr set it as epic exclusive GOG users can still buy the game even if it is epic only. I am not saying it’s definite, just that it’s not a given that it would come here. TBH I wouldn’t even be suprised if CDPr don’t sell off GOG at some point in the future. They want to focus on games as a service via galaxy with microtransactions and online gaming, which isn’t inline with gog (although GOG aren’t really inline with gog anymore).

I don't use the galaxy storefront so i don't know anything about them selling epic games. What epic games do they sell?

Partnership with Epic?

Double ouch.

The end of an era, pretty much. we'll miss the days of devs making their games with in-house engines.

This seems like paranoia conjecture. If anything I can see Epic getting it first and Steam users have to wait a year later.

I am mostly OK with this. If there is one thing that Epic has done well, it's creating a decent game engine, and there is no sense for CDPR to reinvent the wheel by maintaining their own engine if it's getting in the way of development. So in this sense, it sounds like a good idea.

On the flip side, I hope that this "multi-year strategic partnership" between CDPR and Epic ONLY has to do with licensing UE5 and nothing else. If the partnership includes anything else including but not limited to: EGS getting advertising space on GOG/Galaxy, any sorts of GOG/EGS joint-exclusivity deals (like the current Ubisoft/EGS one), Epic integrating any of their DRM-like services into CDPR/GOG games, or anything else that could be considered a prelude to an acquisition, then this is a bad idea.

CDPR, please be smart about this and don't turn it into a bad idea.

They've must ran the numbers and come to the conclusion that it would better to use UE5 than their own. Maybe the work needed would be massive and more costly than the royalties they have to pay epic.

Whatever is the case, this move might even put more pressure on how CDPR will deliver the game. UE one of the most used engines in the world, so the expectations of it being good in overall terms migh be greater. Of course, the engine does not per se grants a good game, as there are many terrible UE games out there (see GTA Definitive Trilogy). However, they're saying they're working closely with the epic team, so this time there's no room for a lot of excuses.

As for the worry because of the partnership with Epic, imo, a lot of it stems from the fact that EGS is a thing nowaday. Before EGS, whenever a studio said they'd be using UE and collaborating with Epic, there was no outrage. On the contrary, a lot of people would applaud the move. But since EGS came into the fray with the exclusivity deals, a lot of people started to become worried that they would not be able to buy/play the game on their preferred store/platform. At least, that's the impression I have from what I see/read, but I can be wrong here.

As I said in a previous post, I believe this partnership is only on a technical level. I don't believe it's because of any store exclusivity. If, in the end, any exclusivity comes out of it, I can see it being released first on GOG and EGS and later on Steam. But I don't that'll be the case. Like it or not, Steam is very important for CDPR. The number of copies CP 2077 sold on Steam must've outsold the GOG and Epic ones combined. Also, the outrage of such a move would be massive I believe. And to not release on GOG would be like throwing their principles out of the window.

Anyway, the game's years off. This annoucement seems more directed at their investors and as a hiring job listing. By the time the game releases a lot could have changed, so we'll know by then.

Great, another game made with the most generic engine.

You're asking this group to not be blindly cynical. I think you're asking too much.

As to the "partnership," it sounds like the sort of service deal that Epic does when companies pay for it as opposed to using the free version to pump out asset flips. If anything, the use of established middleware should be celebrated, as the support can only help with making sure the game doesn't run into as many snags as CP2077 did. Let's not forget EA's constant issues with Battlefield on the practically-jurassic Frostbite Engine.

I am personally excited but a little worried tbh.

1) i wonder why CDPR switched to unreal from RED? Do they feel their engine is now outdated and investing in a new one will cost too much for too little reward? The big concern is it could result in a sub-par game compared to previous entries due to the switch from in-house to unreal.

2) Former witcher 3 senior staff have left CDPR so I wonder how much successful knowledge transfer there was. There could be differences in the quality of the new game due to senior staff leaving which has occurred with some games (KH3).

3) Hope this new Witcher game is cast with a new witcher or Ciri (although she technically isnt a witcher so…). Do personally feel that Geralt’s tale has been told given that his journey with Ciri has ended with her defeating the wild hunt and the vastly different endings would mean one needs to be canonized which will upset fans.

I am excited to see the new witcher game though and the relationship with Epic likely wont be all bad. CDPR could make a tidy profit by making the game GOG and Epic exclusive (the benefits from lower unreal engine fees and exclusivity contract). As long as its DRM-free and released here.

I don't know how to feel about this. As long as it's just a PARTNERSHIP, I don't mind, but I want CD Projekt to remain completely independent. I also was partial to the REDengine but I think they probably did this just because of the sheer stress of trying to maintain their current engine, especially after all the Cyberpunk bugs.

CDPR is pretty much my favorite studio right now so I'm excited for this but I also have some concerns. Hopefully this works out for everyone.

We'll see how DRMed this one is once it's released! I'd wager it'll be at least as DRMful as CP2077, but likely more.

Witcher 1 and 2 are posiblby my best gaming experiences and most enjoyable story telling experiences in gaming. Witcher 3 was great but less so. I just hope they get the story and lore right for any upcoming game.

Personally I'm excited

Sounds like a good partnership for all parties involved.

Probably not a good sign for the Steam kiddies, however. I'd fully expect these games to be GOG + EGS exclusives. Kind of like what Ubisoft is doing, and I think that's a good thing.

We have no idea what the game is, but I'd expect some sort of multiplayer component involved with the game that's using Galaxy and Epic Online Services with cross play.

I have no doubt they'll be able to make a great game with Unreal Engine 5. I thought everything they did with their in-house engine was great also, and yes, that goes for Cyberpunk 2077 also.

If I have one concern or worry with this announcement it would be that CD Projekt goes too "woke" with this game. As long as the game is not at all afraid to show off the nudity with attractive women, then I'm good.

According to CDPR, they're not planning to make the game exclusive to any specific platforms. They'd be pretty dumb to go EGS exclusive (even with GOG as an option) due to the fact that their reputation did take a hit after 2077 and there are still loads of people who refuse to touch EGS.

And as for your 'woke' comment, I don't think that's a concern. Did you see Cyberpunk's rampant nudity?