Mormot has answered a few questions regarding the retail PC version of the Witcher 3, over on the CDPR forums...

"A lot of you have been asking about the GOG.com code being in the boxed version of the game. The answer is YES! Please check below for more details regarding this fact.

Q: Do I need Internet access to install the retail PC version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt?
A: The initial, pre-premiere retail PC batch of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt needs to download a file from our servers to allow play. This file will either be downloaded automatically during installation process or you can choose to download it manually from a dedicated website. Since we have no DRM in the game, this is a security measure we needed to incorporate so the game doesn’t leak during the production process. No worries, the file will not be big. Copies of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt produced after launch will not contain this security feature.

Q: Will there be any sort of serial number provided in the retail PC box?
A: The game does not require any serial code to install or play. However, each retail PC copy of Wild Hunt will contain an additional GOG.com game code for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. See below for details.

Q: What is the GOG.com game code found in the box used for?
The game code grants you access to a digital backup copy of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on GOG.com. You will also receive full software support, i.e. future updates, as well as all the additional content like the 16 Free DLCs, the FLAC & MP3 soundtrack, comics, wallpapers, art book, all voice over packs and more.

Q: Can I install and play the game without the GOG.com game code?
A: Yes you can install and play the game without the game code.

Q: Will I be able to install updates and the free DLCs without using the GOG.com game code?
We decided to offer software support, DLCs, and extra goodies only to gamers who confirm their purchase with the provided game code on GOG.com. This is the only way for us to differentiate between you, honest gamers who bought our game, and pirates who snatched it from the Internet.

Q: Do I need to become a GOG.com user to play the game I just bought?
A: You can install and play the game without becoming a GOG.com user. "

SO, good news - if you're getting a retail copy, you also get a GOG copy! hooray!
On the other hand, first print copies come with effective DRM (you need to verify/download a patch file to play the game), which while small and doesn't effect me personally, I dislike.

Thoughts?

Yeah, this is LOL: And so is this, if you want to play a patched game:

Exactly. That's the VERY DEFINITION of DRM. Security to stop pirates. Which it won't.

Wasn't it already going like that even if you buy box in any game you basically get a code.

I still hope that gog will make many contests where you can get that medallion.
Why?
I want it in my neck. Like noose.

Day one patch? It's all the same for me because I have to have internet to load that game in any case.

No, previously GOG had stated that there wasn't going to be a digital backup provided for retail versions (at least not in the near future), I believe. If you're willing to put down some cash, JINX sells officially licensed medallions.

But all the other Developers games on GOG will be DRM free still won't they?
Just not their own.

jinx? Does it send to Finland? with reasonable price? do you know?

Yes, they do ship to Finland.
I quickly just entered a dummy address to see the shipping costs for Finland:
Standard: €8.36
Express: €25.92

though it might vary depending on whereabouts you are.

That is not actually so bad. I thought shipping costs a lot for unknown reason. But indeed if true not really bad if it comes with a wire what isn't made of opinions of vegetarians.. so fickle and grass.. you know they do not have strenght.

did you mean with the medallion or just shipping costs?

I'm not actually sure about the quality of the product, as I haven't got one myself. I can only go based on the photos, atm.

That's just the shipping cost.
The medallion itself is $29.99 USD.

That's just shipping. The Medallion is about 25 Euro.

Any news if there be any pre-loading available? What about midnight release going to happen on GOG?

so basically the cost of sending and standard price (who's if I may ask) necklace +Jesus.. i don't really believe in him but it was an reaction.
=)

Yes that is correct GoG was not going to provide digital backups. This is a plus now getting a download code. That medalion linked to here was one of the main reasons I pre ordered the delux boxed version. Looks like I made a bad decision on that all round. Serves me right for pre orderering, I should know by now that is a bad idea, so my fault.

I may order another medalion though for a gift. Thanks for the link.

Regards

Requiring a download to access the game you already paid for from the source (the discs) is DRM.
For all the talk from CDP against DRM, they sure do love using it.
The release day physical versions of all three Witcher games have DRM. The Witcher games did not receive proper releases until the physical Complete/Enhanced editions were sold which have the entire game DRM free on disc(s) so they don't require you to go through any console wannabe platform like Steam, GOG, or any of the others. Patches, updates, and DLC are negative types of anti piracy.
The "physical" version of Cyberpunk 2077 is already confirmed to be nothing more than a download code which is DRM, and unfortunately I doubt it will get a proper release after all updates and DLC is out like what happened with the WItcher games since there are more than enough compliant consumers that will give them money and praise regardless.
This is disappointing coming from the company that said they "beat" piracy by offering nice physical copies, they sure don't follow that anymore now that they have plenty of mindless consumers that will give them money anyways.
"But people don't have disc drives anymore!" The industry, CDP included, has been pushing digital for over 10 years now in a brainwashing esque manner, they helped make it that way. External disc drives that connect via USB exist, they could add in a unique USB drive with the game on it, or even better they could develop a cartridge format for PC that connects via USB, like already available USB drives that use flash but instead use whatever console cartridges use instead of crummy flash memory, they have enough money to do so.
Optical disc is still the king of data storage in terms of longevity despite what the video game and digital distribution industries want you to think.