Gameshark: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, Michal. How has the development on The Witcher been going? Is the game still on course and when we can expect to see it in stores?
Madej: The story behind the game actually precedes it being “The Witcher” as we know it. Lost? Well, here’s the thing: Initially, CD Projekt made a bid for the PC version of “Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance.” Due to a number of reasons, however, that idea never came to fruition, causing us to decide that we would produce our own IP. The project kick-started with the purchase of the rights to create a game based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, followed by an attempt to craft our own software technology to accommodate for it. Rather quickly we found ourselves at a dead end, though. The original plan was scrapped and most of the production team was relocated to Warsaw, where a number of newly recruited members were already waiting to commence work on the just-licensed BioWare Aurora Engine. Once we re-designed all of the core gameplay concepts, the actual work could finally start full throttle, producing the effects you’ve see yearly at E3. Since that time three years ago, and with each successive year, the game has undergone a sweeping qualitative make over. The world premiere of the game will take place in September 2007.
Gameshark: With the game being in development for some time, what are the system requirements going to be? The graphics looked great a couple of years ago, but is there a fear of it looking dated by September?
Madej: The hardware requirements for the game will not be overly demanding. In order to fully appreciate the game’s visual potential, however, higher end equipment will be necessary, nonetheless. Such is the inevitable compromise, in order to have a product both accessible to the average player and taking advantage of the latest technology. Nevertheless, while we believe “The Witcher” to be graphically attractive, it has to be remembered that the newest hardware is not everything. It is only when combined with a unique style, enduring esthetical appeal, as well as attention to detail, that you get something truly stunning. True beauty, after all, does not tend to age; it only comes of age.
Gameshark: The Witcher, as some of our readers may not know, is based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, which are very popular in Europe. Do you need to know the novels to fully enjoy the game? Is there going to be enough explanation in the game as to who The Witchers are – their history, etc?
Madej: We ask anyone unfamiliar with the story to not worry, as the game has been designed so that those not acquainted with Sapkowski’s literature won’t be at a disadvantage. Moreover, one of our assumptions is that for the vast majority of gamers, “The Witcher” will be their first ever contact with the world of these monster slayers. Hence the protagonist’s amnesia, which in itself is not the driving force behind the plot of the game, yet which helps the player to ease into the new realm. On the other hand, however, we do harbour the hope that gamers will reach for Sapkowski’s novels, which are to be published in English by the British publishing house, Orion Books. We expect that the translations will also be made available in the US. Additionally, we should be releasing some story excerpts online in the months leading up to release.
Gameshark: What is the basic storyline in the game? What is Geralt (the game’s hero) trying to accomplish? Is Geralt, in fact, a good guy at all? If I recall the Witchers aren’t very popular with the local villagers.
Madej: Quite a few questions there, but I’ll try to address all of them in turn. The plot of the game commences a few years following the concluding events of Andrzej Sapkowski’s final volume of the Witcher series, as Geralt reappears as mysteriously and suddenly as he had disappeared. Exhausted, weak and with no recollection of past happenings, he is found by the other Witchers near Kaer Morhen (the Witchers’ stronghold). To make things even more exciting, soon after Geralt is found, the Witcher keep is assaulted by a band of unidentified brigands attempting to acquire the guild’s most guarded secrets – the alchemic formulae for mutagenic potions, which are an essential part of the upbringing of the supernatural warriors known as Witchers. Following the encounter, the Witchers part ways, heading to different corners of the world in search of those responsible for the theft of their secrets. Geralt himself travels to the Vizima – the capital of the Temerian Kingdom – looking for clues to the puzzle. His journey, however, will also take him to the remnants of his past. With time, the Witcher’s personal story begins to tie into an intricate design of political conspiracy. That’s about as much of the plot as we can reveal.
