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General discussionAnnouncing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Expansion Pass(1100 posts)(1100 posts)
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Posted April 07, 2015
Two full-blown expansions for the epic RPG.




The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is almost here. That means the game is pretty much finished, and the devs are about to take a deep breath while CD-presses and hype machines slowly wind up to take things through the home stretch. It's not gold yet, but now that development is coming to an end, the CD PROJEKT RED team is ready to start their work on two new, ambitious monster-hunting expansions.

The expansions will be called <span class="bold">Hearts of Stone</span>, and <span class="bold">Blood and Wine</span>. Combined, they'll offer over 30 hours of new adventures for Geralt, and the latter introduces a whole new major area to roam. More items, gear, and characters (including a few familiar faces) will all be crafted with the same attention to detail as the game itself.
<span class="bold">Hearts of Stone</span> is a 10-hour adventure across the wilds of No Man's Land and the nooks of Oxenfurt. The secretive Man of Glass has a contract for you - you'll need all your smarts and cunning to untangle a thick web of deceit, investigate the mystery, and emerge in one piece.
<span class="bold"><span class="bold">Blood and Wine</span></span> is the big one, introducing an all-new, playable in-game region to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It will take you about 20 hours to discover all of Toussaint, a land of wine, untainted by war. And to uncover the dark, bloody secret behind an atmosphere of carefree indulgence.







There used to be a time when buying an add-on disk or expansion for your game really meant something. That's what CD PROJEKT RED are going for, it's about bringing that old feeling back. You can take it from our very own iWi, (that's Marcin Iwinski, co-founder of CD PROJEKT RED):

"We’ve said in the past that if we ever decide to release paid content, it will be vast in size and represent real value for the money. Both of our expansions offer more hours of gameplay than quite a few standalone games out there.”

Hearts of Stone is expected to premiere this October, while Blood and Wine is slated for release in the first quarter of 2016, so there's still plenty of time ahead. We're offering you the <span class="bold">Expansion Pass</span> now - it's a chance to pre-order the two expansions and even show your support for the devs. But we can't stress Marcin Iwinski's words enough:

“Don’t buy it if you have any doubts. Wait for reviews or play The Witcher and see if you like it first. As always, it’s your call."







The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is just over a month away, and you can pre-order the game right now - it's a particularly great deal if you own the previous Witcher games and take advantage of the additional fan discount (both The Witcher and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings are 80% off right now!). You can also take a rather unique refresher course on the universe with The Witcher Adventure Game at a 40% discount, all until Thursday, 4:59 PM GMT.
Post edited April 07, 2015 by Chamb
Posted April 09, 2015
high rated
Hello Everyone,

First of all let me thank you for your feedback. Although a bit harsh at times, it is always very passionate, emotional and we really do appreciate it.

I wanted to add a few words to the original press release, which will hopefully shed some more light on the Expansions and the timing of the announcement.

Let me start with the Expansions themselves. The work on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is almost done and we are waiting for the final certifications. Thanks to it we were able to allocate part of the team onto the expansions. Yes, we have been thinking about it for some time, as with over 250 people on the Witcher team good planning is essential.

Rest assured, there is no hidden agenda or cutting out any content from the game. Both Expansions are being built at this very moment, from the ground up – hence the release dates long after the launch of Wild Hunt. We develop them in-house by the same team, which was working on Wild Hunt. This is the best guarantee we can give you that our goal is to deliver both the story and production values on par with the main game.

Now, on the timing of the announcement - in other words “why now” and not - let’s say – “a few months after the release of Wild Hunt”. The reason is very simple: we want to get the word out about the Expansions to as many gamers as possible out there. There is no better time for it than during the apex of the Marketing & PR campaign of the game. Doing it sometime after the release would mean that our reach would be much smaller.

Yes, we are a business, and yes, we would love to see both the game and the Expansions selling well. Having said that, we always put gamers first and are actually quite paranoid about the fact that whatever we offer is honest, of highest quality, and represents good value for your hard earn buck.

Yes, these are just my words. So let me repeat myself from the original release: if you still have any doubts -- don’t buy the Expansions. Wait for reviews or play The Witcher and see if you like it first. As always, it’s your call.

Cheers,

Marcin
Post edited April 09, 2015 by Destro
Posted April 08, 2015
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Dawnreader: 1 - 0

;)
（＾ω＾）
Posted April 08, 2015
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twistedpony: I don't have a problem with the expansions as such. The last true expansion I remember playing was NWN2: Mask of the Betrayer and it was really, really good. A new area, new story line and basically the same gameplay (except for the spirit hunger) but at a much higher class level. ...
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Trilarion: Last expansions I had were for Civilization V (Gods and Kings, Brave New World) and as far as I can judge they filled gaps in the main game that were left out from day one. It's the typical example of intentionally left out content. So I feel like something is left out and I feel like the price for the expansions is too high. By cutting the game in parts and sellling it is parts I feel like they took the fun out of it partly.

Still I do not feel overly unfairly treated. That's the business model of 2K and Firaxis. The only thing I regret is that the expansions are so expensive for what they offer and go less often on sale.
To be fair Civilization game expansions like Gods and Kings give you hundreds of hours worth of additional gameplay content which is very hard to compare to the small Witcher 3 expansion dlc (basically 2 scenario map pack) which is quite expensive in comparison to the base game.
Posted April 08, 2015
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P1na: Then again, if I must respond to your previous point to make you happy... what did the team do after finishing the witcher? What did the team do after finishing the witcher 2? Would it have been such a bad idea to start designing/writing their new cyberpunk game now that the design team had nothing better to do?
I'm a bit concerned about this too. I'd really like to see CDPR make some progress on their other planned title, instead of relying on just the one cash cow. Even Microsoft had the sense to have two major products to rely on. That way they still had money coming in from one while they screwed up the next release of the other.
Posted April 08, 2015
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P1na: Oh come on, it was just a joke. You left yourself way open to it posting that image on a thread about buying a not-yet-developed expansion for a not-yet-developed game. No need to be "smart" for it, it was a pretty easy one.

Then again, if I must respond to your previous point to make you happy... what did the team do after finishing the witcher? What did the team do after finishing the witcher 2? Would it have been such a bad idea to start designing/writing their new cyberpunk game now that the design team had nothing better to do?
Started porting it to consoles and made Enhanced Edition, for the W2 the same thing? Cyberpunk 2077 has another team? IMHO
Post edited April 08, 2015 by Dawnreader
Posted April 08, 2015
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Mr.Caine: Only on GOG.If you check any gaming site that reported this news you won't see people screaming for bloody murder.
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Matruchus: Nope, Steam page of Witcher 3 is full of similar threads and preorder cancelations.
I'd be curious to know how many are really cancelling the pre-order and how many are just saying it to back up their complaining.

Would also be curious how many who cancel, end up buying after release if we hear good reviews and they feel left out.

As a pre-order customer I'm not really getting how this announcement for expansions 6 months or more after release makes that much of a difference if you were prepared to pre-order the base game. Did they expect there would never be any expansions no future gold edition etc.

Perhaps there is a little of the ouch I spent so much money on a pre-order game and I could have used the money to feed the family, ah an excuse to cancel, excellent.

People are strange creatures.
Post edited April 08, 2015 by deonast
Posted April 08, 2015
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Dawnreader: Started porting it to consoles and made Enhanced Edition, for the W2 the same thing? Cyberpunk 2077 has another team? IMHO
Yes, that's the thing. So, what changed? Why get another team if "the team" was going to end up with nothing to do?

This way of doing things is a conscious decision by CDPR to change their development model. I won't say it's evil or wrong, but I don't buy it being unavoidable either. It's a choice they've made, I'd assume after weighting their options and priorities. I do appreciate they let me know about it while I can still get a full refund, though.
Posted April 08, 2015
high rated
I am not cancelling my pre order but i am going to wait till after the games release before buying the season pass.

To be homest i really cant see what all the fuss is about and people screaming about cancelling pre orders and waiting on the GOTY edition.. Will there ever be a GOTY edition has that been mentioned and not all games get the GOTY edition (Mass Effect series anyone).

It is your choise to cancel or not but i think for what your getting in the base game is a huge game in itself and well worth the time and effort CD project red have put into this.
Posted April 08, 2015
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GOG.com: There used to be a time when buying an add-on disk or expansion for your game really meant something. That's what CD PROJEKT RED are going for, it's about bringing that old feeling back. You can take it from our very own iWi, (that's Marcin Iwinski, co-founder of CD PROJEKT RED):

"We’ve said in the past that if we ever decide to release paid content, it will be vast in size and represent real value for the money. Both of our expansions offer more hours of gameplay than quite a few standalone games out there.”

Hearts of Stone is expected to premiere this October, while Blood and Wine is slated for release in the first quarter of 2016, so there's still plenty of time ahead. We're offering you the <span class="bold">Expansion Pass</span> now - it's a chance to pre-order the two expansions and even show your support for the devs. But we can't stress Marcin Iwinski's words enough:

“Don’t buy it if you have any doubts. Wait for reviews or play The Witcher and see if you like it first. As always, it’s your call."
I for one am smiling. A return to that feeling of extending a favored gaming experience rather than filling holes in one, yes please CD PROJEKT RED let's get back to that. Normally I would very much be in the "wait and see" camp but so far I've enjoyed the rest of the series enough to justify a pre-order. Just as important I feel solid about the way they conduct their business and want to support more companies like it, since money is a huge way to vote for things in the global economy I'll be putting some of mine into this in hopes of seeing more of the same in future.

Cheers,
Legion
Posted April 08, 2015
I take it as a lesson. You pre-order you take the risk, like crowdfunding but with perhaps a little less reward but also less risk as you are later in the process.

Don't want the risk, don't have cash to waste, then buy after release. Look on the bright side if you don't like this announcement take it as a lesson from CDProjekt and GOG that pre-ordering is not for you and don't do it again.

Myself I wouldn't ask for a refund for a pre-order (ever), since I committed to buy it getting burnt is a really good way of learning from your mistakes. So don't cancel the pre-order, learn your lesson :)

Me I have no problem with the announcement, I'll pick up the expansions when I know the game has proven itself and they fit my price range.

Be thankful you can get a refund, how many places let you do that.
Post edited April 08, 2015 by deonast
Posted April 08, 2015
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deonast: As a pre-order customer I'm not really getting how this announcement for expansions 6 months or more after release makes that much of a difference if you were prepared to pre-order the base game. Did they expect there would never be any expansions no future gold edition etc.
How about because I'm willing to pay the X price for the "whole" game, and I'll do it in advance to support the company; however I'm not willing to pay X+Y price for the "whole" game therefore I won't buy it anymore, much less in advance. And yes, I did expect that if a future enhanced edition was made I'd get it with the original purchase, just like I did with witcher 2.

But I'm also curious about how many followed through, as well. I mean I know I did, but we all know gamers are pretty weak willed.

PS: for "whole" game argument, refer to here
Posted April 08, 2015
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deonast: As a pre-order customer I'm not really getting how this announcement for expansions 6 months or more after release makes that much of a difference if you were prepared to pre-order the base game. Did they expect there would never be any expansions no future gold edition etc.
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P1na: How about because I'm willing to pay the X price for the "whole" game, and I'll do it in advance to support the company; however I'm not willing to pay X+Y price for the "whole" game therefore I won't buy it anymore, much less in advance. And yes, I did expect that if a future enhanced edition was made I'd get it with the original purchase, just like I did with witcher 2.

But I'm also curious about how many followed through, as well. I mean I know I did, but we all know gamers are pretty weak willed.

PS: for "whole" game argument, refer to here
It is the whole game, as they initially planned it. Extra content is extra content as far as I'm concerned. And I only expect as much as is offered, I don't make assumptions about the future and Directors cuts and expansions in my book are different beasts. I took it at face value on what was offered on the game page. To do otherwise is to assume way more than is wise.
Posted April 08, 2015
high rated
1) "Pass" has negative connotations for a lot of gamers. Don't use that word to describe two expansion packs; they're not an episodic season pass.

2) Don't price the expansions and start taking preorders before the main game is released. You can do that a week or two after launch. It just looks arrogant to do it beforehand.


So, if CDPR had presented it like this:

"Great news! Not only is our wonderful new game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt about to be released in as polished a state as we could make it, we've now begun working on two major expansions. We plan for the combined expansions to have 30+ hours of new side-story content, which will take place in both existing game areas and entirely new ones. We anticipate releasing the first expansion in Fall 2015. We'll be updating you with more details after the launch of the main game."

then I think there would have been more "Oh, that sounds like it could be cool," and less rage.
Posted April 08, 2015
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deonast: It is the whole game, as they initially planned it. Extra content is extra content as far as I'm concerned. And I only expect as much as is offered, I don't make assumptions about the future and Directors cuts and expansions in my book are different beasts. I took it at face value on what was offered on the game page. To do otherwise is to assume way more than is wise.
You are not making assumptions, I was and it was the reason I decided to support the game with a preorder. You say you don't get how this announcement makes any difference, so I'm telling you. I'm not asking anyone to agree with me, I just am trying to explain a particular view.

And I've already argued the "whole game" approach several times, but if I have to again, I'll just quote myself:
I'll most probably play through the game only once. I want that one time to be the best experience I possibly can. I also don't want to pay more than 60€ for one game. Therefore, I'll wait to buy this game.
Posted April 08, 2015
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Luned: 1) "Pass" has negative connotations for a lot of gamers. Don't use that word to describe two expansion packs; they're not an episodic season pass.

2) Don't price the expansions and start taking preorders before the main game is released. You can do that a week or two after launch. It just looks arrogant to do it beforehand.

So, if CDPR had presented it like this:

"Great news! Not only is our wonderful new game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt about to be released in as polished a state as we could make it, we've now begun working on two major expansions. We plan for the combined expansions to have 30+ hours of new side-story content, which will take place in both existing game areas and entirely new ones. We anticipate releasing the first expansion in Fall 2015. We'll be updating you with more details after the launch of the main game."

then I think there would have been more "Oh, that sounds like it could be cool," and less rage.
I feel similar. I had mentioned that I think reaching out for money this early was the big mistake.
Posted April 08, 2015
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aluinie: Will there ever be a GOTY edition...
There's already one, as far as I'm concerned:
http://www.gog.com/game/the_witcher_3_wild_hunt_game_expansion_pass
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Community
General discussionAnnouncing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Expansion Pass(1100 posts)(1100 posts)
(1100 posts)