The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Impressions, Mods and Mac in the fall!

[CeeKay]

new preview:

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/the-witcher-2-preview/

[CeeKay]

10 minutes of gameplay.  may have some NSFW in it.  it's the Witcher, duh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7qQpbPwxErs

[CeeKay]

a new hands on.

[CeeKay]

just saw this on GOG: http://www.gog.com/en/news/the_witcher_2_assassins_of_kings_digital_premium_edition_to_be_drm_free_only_on

the GOG version won't have any DRM.  Pirates are going to love that 

[ericb]

just saw this on GOG: http://www.gog.com/en/news/the_witcher_2_assassins_of_kings_digital_premium_edition_to_be_drm_free_only_on

the GOG version won't have any DRM.  Pirates are going to love that 

I love that.  And because of it I will likely buy it in non-DRM form to support them for doing it.  I'm sorry but DRM only hurts the legitimate buyer and does nothing to even slow the pirates down.

[Greggy_D]

I love that.  And because of it I will likely buy it in non-DRM form to support them for doing it.  I'm sorry but DRM only hurts the legitimate buyer and does nothing to even slow the pirates down.

Exactly.

[CeeKay]

I love that.  And because of it I will likely buy it in non-DRM form to support them for doing it.  I'm sorry but DRM only hurts the legitimate buyer and does nothing to even slow the pirates down.

Exactly.

oh, I agree.  the is because I can see piracy being even more rampant for this because of them practically proclaiming 'We bet you won't pirate it because we've removed any challenge to i!'

[jersoc]

I could've sworn they announced this was DRM free when they started taking preorders on GOG. Which is why I got it there instead of steam. Also, the free game. Couple more months.

[frost]

I could've sworn they announced this was DRM free when they started taking preorders on GOG. Which is why I got it there instead of steam. Also, the free game. Couple more months.

Yeah, I bought it from GOG too, because then I know it's DRM free, and GOG is owned by CD Projekt, and I want to reward them for making a great first game and then improving on it and making "enhanced" version free to original owners.  Very stand-up of them, and something you don't see anymore from companies.

[hepcat]

I could've sworn they announced this was DRM free when they started taking preorders on GOG. Which is why I got it there instead of steam. Also, the free game. Couple more months.

Yeah, I bought it from GOG too, because then I know it's DRM free, and GOG is owned by CD Projekt, and I want to reward them for making a great first game and then improving on it and making "enhanced" version free to original owners.  Very stand-up of them, and something you don't see anymore from companies.

ditto.  put in my pre-order on GOG the day they announced it.

[CeeKay]

I could've sworn they announced this was DRM free when they started taking preorders on GOG. Which is why I got it there instead of steam. Also, the free game. Couple more months.

they may have, they just decided to make a big announcement again.

[CeeKay]

interview with senior Producer Tomasz Gop

part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKmwpDyqbWg&feature=player_embedded
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In63AFu1Hf0&feature=related

[CeeKay]

system specs:

Recommended:

Processor: Intel Quad Core or equivalent AMD
Graphics Card: GeForce 260, 1GB memory / Radeon HD 4850 with 1GB memory
Memory: 3GB on Windows XP and 4GB for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Hard Disk: At least 16GB of free space

Minimum:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or equivalent AMD
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 8800 512 VR or similar ATI
Memory: 1 GB for Win XP / 2 GB for Win XP
Hard disk: 16GB

[CeeKay]

CD Projekt has announced a spin off game.

[hepcat]

CD Projekt has announced a spin off game.

   great april fool's from the folks at cd projekt.

[CeeKay]

some slightly more detailed system specs, mainly the additionally' section:

Miminum System Requirements:


OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista SP2 / Windows 7 (32/64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
Memory: 1 GB Windows XP / 2 GB Windows Vista and Windows 7
Video Card: 512 MB RAM, supporting Pixel Shader 3.0 (Nvidia GeForce 8800 or ATI Radeon HD3850)

Recommended System Requirements:

OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista SP2 / Windows 7 (32/64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad or AMD Phenom X4
Memory: 3 GB Windows XP / 4 GB Windows Vista and Windows 7
Video Card: 1 GB RAM, supporting Pixel Shader 3.0 (Nvidia GeForce GTX260 or ATI Radeon HD4850)

Additionally:

Sound Card: compatible with DirectX 9.0c
HDD: 16 GB of disc space
Disc Drive: DVD x8, compatible with DVD9
Instalation requires administrator access.
Game supports Xbox 360 controller for Windows

also, there's some new screenshots in the gallery.

[CeeKay]

new preview.

[CeeKay]

first 10 minutes of gameplay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=62bElLioaBM

[CeeKay]

there's going to be a live chat tomorrow via their Facebook page at 4pm GMT.

[CeeKay]

pre-loading on GOG starts May 10th, plus a bit on DRM and how many endings there will be.

[jersoc]

sweet, preloading on gog, should be interesting! so hyped for this game. loved the shit outta the first.

[CeeKay]

they've updated the FAQ, covering DRM, why you should register and the checkpoint save system in the preview build.

Spoiler for Just the FAQ:

THE WITCHER 2 FAQ UPDATE – APRIL 2011
WHAT DRM WILL THE WITCHER 2 HAVE?
The primary reason for including copy protection with internet activation is to address the biggest
concern of our publishing and distribution partners, which is potential piracy before release. To do
so, we must implement at least a minimal form of protection.
The Witcher 2 will be delivered to external manufacturing plants weeks before release. It is virtually
impossible to guarantee absolute security for this entire time. Any leak of the code can gravely
compromise the commercialization of the game, and we want to be sure that the first people to play
it will be the fans and customers who are waiting for their official copies.
That’s why, together with our publishing and distributing partners, we decided to use copy
protection. The Digital Premium Edition available from GOG.com will be the sole exception. Since it
is our sister company, located in the same building, we are completely confident the code will be
absolutely secure.
As a company and also as gamers ourselves, we’d like to stress that we are against any kind of copy
protection that might affect the game experience or limit the usability of legally purchased copies.
For this reason, we decided to implement a custom version that is the lightest and least intrusive
possible. During installation, it will be necessary to connect to the Internet one time – but NEVER
while playing. Similarly, the only time you need to have the disks in your drive is during installation.
While we are aware of some players’ associations with the SecuROM technology, the server
infrastructure of its provider, SONY, gives us the highest level of confidence that registering legal
copies will be problem-free. Every legal copy can be played on up to five machines at a time. What’s
more, registrations can be revoked at any time; in effect, The Witcher 2 can be installed on unlimited
number of machines. It will also be possible to make backups. Furthermore, we will make every
effort to cooperate with our publishing and distribution partners to remove the DRM in a postrelease
update.

WHY SHOULD I REGISTER MY COPY?
Registration of legally purchased copies is completely optional. To make the process as user-friendly
as possible, the same key is used for both installation and registration.
Anyone who chooses to register will receive various bonuses (English and Polish language packs, free
future DLC and more), and additional promotional materials such as bonus songs.
Registered users will also receive automatic notifications of updates via the game launcher. In
addition, this will be the only way to update the product – patches will not be available as separate
files, making it impossible to update illegal copies of the game in this manner.
WHY AND HOW SHOULD I USE MY SAVEGAMES FROM THE WITCHER?
The Witcher 2 will provide a complete story and game experience. It is not necessary to have played
the original. As a bonus, those who did will have the option of importing their saved games. The
opening of The Witcher 2 is, however, the same for everyone. Events and decisions from imported
saves may be reflected later on, but only in ways that can happen anyway.
If The Witcher is still installed on your hard drive, The Witcher 2 will automatically detect all saves
after the last critical choice point, and either suggest the file to import, or allow you to choose from
all the possible ones.
Note: The preview build sent at the beginning of April 2011 did not include the full save game
system. The release version will let players save at any time PC gamers expect.

WHAT KIND OF PERFORMANCE AND HARDWARE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
The Witcher 2 is being developed for one platform, the PC. What this basically means, especially
together with our proprietary REDengine, is that we take advantage of the most advanced
performance hardware. Our game doesn’t compromise its performance, gameplay, the interface or
anything else to accommodate other platforms.
The REDengine is built so players with two-core processors and min-spec machines will receive a
fully enjoyable experience. Even more importantly, anyone with the recommended 4 cores and/or
hyperthreading will see a visible improvement. 6 cores? 8? Cool! The Witcher 2 will make good use
of them all. The game will also scale exceptionally well. It has not only low, medium and high
graphical settings, but also an ultra detail level… and even an “uber sampling” mode.
Note: The release version of the game will have an advanced graphical settings menu. It will also
support the 16:9 aspect ratio and be playable in 16:10 (non-native) as well as 4:3 (letterbox).

WILL THERE BE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE WITCHER 2?
The Witcher 2 will have the same content worldwide. There will be no regional differences aside from
the languages. And no censored versions – so no wondering about importing the game, nudity
patches, etc.

[CeeKay]

character development: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRnQLGBtX3Y

as always, it's The Witcher, so some might consider it 'teh OMG NFSW!'.  except for Morgul, then it's just another day on the job 

[PR_GMR]

CD Projekt has announced a spin off game.

   great april fool's from the folks at cd projekt.

... and the next expansion pack will be called 'Fuckers Of Princesses'.

[CeeKay]

combat overview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb4Hf_HNpcc

[CeeKay]

GOLD!

[CeeKay]

VE3D put up some screenshots from the preview they're working on.  there's a few NSFW pics mixed in.

[StitchJones]

So I went and pre ordered over steam.  When on the 17th will i actually be able to play the game.  Is there a normal time when the games are availanble to be played upon release?

[CeeKay]

So I went and pre ordered over steam.  When on the 17th will i actually be able to play the game.  Is there a normal time when the games are availanble to be played upon release?

it all depends on when the publisher gives the go ahead to unlock the game.  they've done midnight releases (Dragon Age 2) and have also had 10amPDT/PST releases.  with Steam and Direct2Drive I usually don't plan on playing the games until the evening of it's release date.

[StitchJones]

So I will be taking the 18th off then....  Can't wait.  The game is looking great.

[ericb]

I've done the preorder at GoG...the lack of DRM is great and I'm more than willing to support a company that is willing to not use it (even in a limited case here).  Just wish it was out already.

[vizionblind]

teaser music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boG1Mj6l5Jw&feature=related

[Greg Wak]

My willpower is so weak. No way I can wait for the cheap price with all these way cool previews out and given how much I enjoyed the first game. So I preordered from gog. At least I feel great about supporting them. And I never played Gothic 2 with Night of the Raven so getting that for free is cool. Now I just can't wait for the 17th to get here.

[hepcat]

I'm itchin' for some witchin'...

may 17th can't come soon enough.  between this and l.a. noire, i'm going to disappear for a month.

[rittchard]

I never played the original - what's special about The Witcher series?  Is it more comparable to Gothic or Dragon Age or DA2 or Elder Scrolls?  I guess I'm a bit leery of playing an RPG where you don't get to create the main character, and I'm not thrilled with that whole ponytail dude look.

[Greg Wak]

I suppose the Witcher is closest to Gothic, but that is more in tone, not mechanics. It's kinda hard to compare it to anything. The Witcher is based on a popular series of books in Poland and he is just a fun character to play. The main story and quests are cool, and the art style was fun. Combat is a love/hate affair, and I was on the love side.

[CeeKay]

I never played the original - what's special about The Witcher series?  Is it more comparable to Gothic or Dragon Age or DA2 or Elder Scrolls?  I guess I'm a bit leery of playing an RPG where you don't get to create the main character, and I'm not thrilled with that whole ponytail dude look.

when GOG puts up the original for sale on the 10th you MUST GET IT.  I don't want to hear any arguments.  DO IT.

[CeeKay]

VE3D put up some screenshots from the preview they're working on.  there's a few NSFW pics mixed in.

some more pics from this.

[jersoc]

I found an old witcher save on a random SD card lol. I hope it's close to the end so I can load it into the sequel. Just gotta download a billion gigs from steam lol.

[ericb]

I suppose the Witcher is closest to Gothic, but that is more in tone, not mechanics. It's kinda hard to compare it to anything. The Witcher is based on a popular series of books in Poland and he is just a fun character to play. The main story and quests are cool, and the art style was fun. Combat is a love/hate affair, and I was on the love side.

Yes, it's closest to Gothic.  I think many people like it because it's a mature-adult setting where violence, consequences, profanity and nudity exists like a real world not mature-kid setting with nudity added because the devs wanted to model boobs.  It's also challenging and usually has some interesting moral choices that actually make a difference.