I'm glad this is good. I have it, but my machine turns not to be up to running int. Roll on Dubai in Jan and cheap electronics....
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I'm glad this is good. I have it, but my machine turns not to be up to running int. Roll on Dubai in Jan and cheap electronics....
Catiline! I haven't seen your digital likeness for quite some time!
Just bought it, installed it, and am now awaiting 1.02 patch before firing it up in anger - I want to experience it with minimal loading times. I'm totally excited about it, but I can wait for the 'optimal' experience. Any idea how long this will be?
I've been washing my ragsQuote:
Originally Posted by Lehesu
but hi Lehesu-san :yes:
The patch has been released today. :2thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Zatoichi
Yeah, I got it last night, thanks! It took a while mind - seems there were a few people trying to get hold of it besides me.Quote:
Originally Posted by AggonyDuck
I will be firing this up in the New Year - alas I will be computerless in a computer-filled world for the next 2 weeks.
Some nice news for the Witcher owners:
Overall this sounds great and especially the toolset could have a lot of potential if it's powerful enough.Quote:
TLDR: Massive amount of updates to be released for The Witcher, both online as a free patch, and also at retail in an Enhanced Edition of the game.
CD Projekt RED is pleased to announce that in May of this year, a new and improved version of The Witcher will appear in stores, a game already considered by many players and media to be the best PC RPG of 2007!
Michał Kiciński, CEO of CD Projekt described the idea behind The Witcher Enhanced Edition: "The leading idea during the development of The Witcher Enhanced Edition is to create a game that is devoid of all of the major criticisms levied at the original release. The Witcher was received very warmly by both players and the media, but we are well aware that it is not a product without its faults. There was just not enough time to perfect certain elements, while we learned that some things needed to be changed from the players themselves. Now we have the opportunity to introduce changes that will allow The Witcher to provide even more enjoyment. I hope that, as a result, the game will come even closer to the ideal RPG."
Maciej Szcześnik, Project Manager at CD Projekt RED, spoke about the content provided in the new edition: "The Witcher Enhanced Edition will be a completely polished product, something rarely found on the PC market. Of course, it would have been best if the original edition could look that way. There were a few ways the original game didn’t quite live up to our high expectations, but now we're trying to make up for it. Work is being done on two levels: one concerns the removal of technical obstacles that hinder the player from properly using the game and thus gaining enjoyment from it. Some of those elements include the loading times, which will be reduced by 80%, the stability of the game on different PC configurations, as well as an array of smaller fixes that will increase interactivity and precision in combat. The other level consists of very important changes that are not usually found in patches. First and foremost, the English-language version will, for the most part, be completely re-done. The amount of text in that version was reduced compared to other language versions and that was said to cause a significant decrease in immersion and atmosphere. Now the English version will be as polished and atmospheric as the other language versions. Speaking of other language versions, most of them will be improved in some way. Significant changes will also be made in the German version, where we are planning to re-record the voices for many of the characters. The most important improvements concern those elements of the game that players criticized the most. For example, over 50 new supporting character models will be added, so that the player won't run into the same person too often. The inventory panel will be re-designed and improved, and some elements of the main game screen will be polished. However, one of the biggest changes that will greatly increase the player's immersion in the game world will be improvements concerning dialogue scenes. Both Geralt and non-player characters will get over 100 new animated gestures which will make their body language during conversations much more natural. Additionally, the facial animation and lip-sync system will be re-created, making the faces of the speakers now even more natural, as well. Of course, I've mentioned only the most important changes, and that's still a lot. There will be many smaller changes that will make the game more fun. I'm convinced that, thanks to those changes, The Witcher will almost be the ideal game for fans of PC role-playing."
Adam Kiciński, head of CD Projekt RED spoke about publishing and the availability of The Witcher Enhanced Edition in different parts of the world: "Our goal is to make the Enhanced Edition available to all players all over the world. We are currently negotiating with our publishing partners to confirm availability dates. Our release date in Eastern Europe is May 16, and thanks to the great support from fans, we’re confident that we will be able to bring the game to stores around the world on that date, as well. The retail release will be quite important for us, as we’re not just improving the game itself, but want to improve how the title is packaged. For example, aside from the game DVD, we are planning to include a DVD with the D'jinii Mod Editor, as well as two additional adventures, a video DVD with extended material detailing the making of the game, a music CD with 29 tracks from the game, a music CD with 15 tracks of music inspired by the game, an 80-page instruction booklet, a 112-page official guide written by the game’s developers, and a 50-page short story written by Andrzej Sapkowski. There will also be a map of the game world. As you can see it is quite an elaborate release and it is important to us that fans all over the world be able to buy this version of the game. Especially considering it will not be more expensive than the standard edition of the game! Fans that have already bought the game need not worry, however, because the new content and improvements will be available to them in the form of a downloadable update."
The Witcher Enhanced Edition not only means changes in the game's mechanics or better graphics, however. There's also an included mod editor called D'jinni that allows players to create or modify their own adventures in the world of The Witcher, as well as two completely new adventures created by CD Projekt RED. The first adventure, entitled “The Price of Neutrality,” tells the story of Geralt coming back to Kaer Morhen and finding a mysterious camp near the stronghold (3 new quests), while the second one focuses on Geralt’s close friend, Dandelion, and his troubles in Vizima City (5 quests).
I still haven't bought the game, and it seems most in this forum have, and anyway, I'm not a big RPG player and the only one I've played recently was Oblivion which one of my cousins gifted me with. I simply loved the game.
This one sound pretty interesting too, but before I go ahead and order it, I'd sure like to know how'd the people here rate it relative to Oblivion?
That's fantastic- such support is very rare now days. :2thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by AggonyDuck
The Witcher is still on my shelf waiting for some attention (thought I may as well wait for the new content), but I can tell you that it and Oblivion are two very different animals.Quote:
Originally Posted by asj_india
Oblivion is all about freedom. Be what you like, do what you like, go where you like. There's great breadth, and rather little depth, at least when it comes to the quests and characters. Few of the people in Cryodil have much personality, few of the quests go beyond 'go here, kill these things, fetch that, return to me'.
The Witcher is about experiencing a story. It forces you to follow the plot path whether you like it or not. You can't scamper off to spend 6 hours brewing potions, or take up pearl diving on the coast. The people you meet along the way should have more to them than a bunch of canned lines you hear from every other NPC of that type, and the plot itself should be more detailed than Oblivion's scanty affair. There are optional side quests you can take or leave as you wish. You have some freedom in how you build up your character; you can choose skills which fit your playing preferences each time you level up. However you must play as Geralt, large parts of your dialogue will be pre-set, and his overall character class is pre-set.
I do like Oblivion. I'm on the last stages of the main quest now, having completed all of the guild lines first. The limitations of its plot and character building are keenly felt; I don't care about anyone or anything in this world, and I don't care about what I'm doing. I just want to find an elven helmet so I can complete my armour set, and get my skills mastered so my character is a god instead of a mere near-invincible uber hero. My preference has always been for a stronger plot than greater freedom.
Try it. Oblivion's type of RPG is rare. Most are of a similar pattern to The Witcher, so if you like it then there's stacks of great RPGs waiting for you.
So does this mean that people who already have the game (i.e. me) have to buy the game again or just download a whole bucket of updates?
It sounds like the update will be a free download for current owners, unless I'm reading it wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarathos
I don't know whether to be interested or not. I took a break from the game about 1/2 way in, but plan to finish at some point. I haven't heard whether or not it will upgrade existing savegames so you can finish with the new features. Does anyone know? Probably not, I'm guessing, but I haven't been over to the Witcher forum lately to check.
For anyone interested, I was in a book store over the weekend and was surprised to see this sitting in the Sci-Fi section. I picked it up out of curiosity and have gotten through about the first third. So far the only part of the book that parallels the game is the opening cinematic. Everything else is unrelated to the game. It is surprisingly good. The translation is superbly well done. If I hadn't known in advance, I would not have guessed that it was written in a foreign language. Overall, it reads like a D&D book, but with a far more 'mature' style and world, along the lines of George R. R. Martin. It is definitely fantasy in the traditional style, but a nice take on the old standard and interesting enough to have me looking forward to the next time I've got available to read it. I give it two thumbs up for people who like traditional fantasy books. I'll be looking forward to the other books when they are translated as well.
Oh, and for anyone wondering, the sex in the book is about as explicit as in the game, but without the cards. Essentially dialog and innuendo, leading up to a sex scene which is not described in much, if any, detail. If it weren't for the 'controversy' about the sex in the game, it wouldn't even have thought to comment on it.
I read 'The Last Wish' in January, and will agree that it's an enjoyable read. I liked the way the fairy tales were often flipped on their heads. I'm waiting for the first proper book to be translated into English.
If you like a good story than the Witcher is for you. It not so much as forces you to follow the story, it sets a path which must be followed, but how you follow it is up to you. The story is great so why wouldn't you follow it but I do agree in contrast with Oblivion, the freedom aspect really does impact on gameplay and to play one game who is near mastering it to a game with a great story but a little too many locked doors.Quote:
Originally Posted by frogbeastegg
Just one question about the enhanced addition, will it just be a downloadable patch or will it be an entirely new game?
That sums up the game perfectly. It, ironically, is more free and expansive than most in the sense of its semi-open gaming experience, but is also restrictive in the manner that you are stuck with one person to play as with no customization at allQuote:
Originally Posted by frogbeastegg
It will be a patch for those who already bought the game and a new retail version for those who haven't, I'm going to wait for it and see whether I want the game then.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarathos
Enhanced Edition has been delayed until August or September (was originally going to be released last weekend).
I'm sure it will be; I got the game a couple of days after starting this topic. I'm waiting for the free expansion. Huh, seems like I have been waiting to play it forever; first I was too busy, then the expansion was announced, then the date slipped ...Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarathos
Maybe it will be worth the wait...we shall see.
Used to be into RPGs...
But that was back in the old school Phantasy Star days. I used to be soooo in love with Alys Brangwin. Ah, memories...
Anyway, back to slaughtering arrogant Romans in RTW...
I've been reading up on it some and the expansion (or rather the Enhanced Edition) is available for free for those who already have registered their game on their website. You'll be notified when its available and can then download it from there directly.
A list of things that will be included in the EE in addition to bugfixes and longer, more fleshed out dialogue:
Oh, and it'll be released 1st half of September.
Source: EE Fact sheet (slightly outdated, but all relevant)
Err......the new features will be implemented in the old game and it's savegames too or it'll be like whole new expantion pack?
Its the same game, just a better version. It does mean that your old savegames won't work as the modules are different, but I think those changes and bugfixes will be worth it (look at my collection of bugs on the witcher wiki site :wink: )
So, anyone else looking forward to the imminent release of the Enhanced Edition? ~:)
I am :beam:
It's somewhere around the 19th isn't it?
Yup, and free for existing game owners.
Personally, the main feature I'm looking forward to (outside of all those bugfixes) is that you can mix and match languages. So you can have say English sounds with Spanish subtitles. Kind of like learning a new language that way.
the witchers good, it is an rpg of sorts i guess, a deep story line but real set, no freedom at all, where as obvilion is the ultimate game in my opinion, not even total war beats it lols
Ever tried Morrowind, Aries? Waaay better than Oblivion. Pity about the graphics, though... It's still better :yes:
I've already got the Witcher, and played it some 6 months ago. But I've been contemplating replaying it, though. Since the EE is coming soon, I'll do it then.
Well, that is, as soon as I've got free time. High School is a pain...
yep, loved tht to, very blocky visuals but certainly the best game of its time, but my normal xbox brokes ages ago, and not compatable with 360, so cant play it, but yh by the same people to! lookin forward 2 fallout 3 there new project, be out soonQuote:
Originally Posted by Warmaster Horus
Morrowind and Oblivion only give you a limited amount of freedom too in that the game ends when you do the main quest and till then you can busy yourself doing side quests. The Witcher is no different there. In fact, I always do all the sides first before doing the main, and chatting up random townies gets you hidden quests or information, which are quite entertaining.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aries777777
WH: You can spend you time playing Witcher: Versus :tongue2: That's what I do when I got nothing to do since you can just challenge people, log off, and come back in a day to review.
yeah they do hav some limit, but all single players games do, theres no question tht oblivion and morrowind hav more freedom than other games, and theres all ways looting caves etc. its hours and hours and hours long so tht helps to good value 4 moneyQuote:
Originally Posted by FactionHeir
another i like is neverwinter nights 1 and 2, shocking graphics but great fun
Sure you can loot caves, but after your nth cave, don't you get bored going in, sneaking up, killing, looting, going to next cave? :grin2:
When I used to play Morrowing/Oblivion, I just had to use the coc cheat constantly because of the ridiculously long trips through the countryside being attacked by effortless creatures.
In that respect I find the Witcher to be a lot more refreshing, where you can fight a lot, but not to the extent where you get bored of it.
yes, anything can get borin after a while, but its still quite varied i think, every game has a certain theme, dunno i just love the eerie atmosphere in oblivion and morrowind, cleverly made, anyways yes witchers very refreshing, but its very bk and forth, re following tracks, buts so is oblivion etcQuote:
Originally Posted by FactionHeir
i loved tht storyline on witcher where the detective guy turned out to be the evil one after he was killed and made an illusion of, as soon as my badge thing was beeting i became very suspicious...
On my first playthrough I never paid attention to my badge
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
I think the fun is that you can play the game quite differently each time. The major choices are Order vs Rebels, but there are many subtle things too which added a nice flair to the game.
I agree, though Morrowind and Oblivion had boring dungeons for different reasons. Except at low levels, the Morrowind dungeons (and almost the entire game) was too easy. Oblivion wasn't too easy, but because the creatures and loot were scaled, they were generic and there were no opportunities to find cool loot. Both of these problems in both games can be fixed with mods, but they are definitely major flaws with the vanilla game.Quote:
Originally Posted by FactionHeir
I just got some new info that might be of some interest:
EE Patch:
TWEE_Upgrade.exe 930 MB
Adventures:
TWEE_adventure_Side_Effect.exe 301 MB
TWEE_adventure_The_Price_of_Neutrality.exe 320 MB
Language packs: (~400-600MB)
No word on exact sizes of the extra content yet, but from what is known, the overall maximum download (i.e. if you download everything) will be 9GB, minimum recommended will be 2 GB (Patch, Main language version, 2 adventures).
Oh, and old saves can be continued in the EE contrary to previous reports.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FactionHeir
:cry2: 2 GB!!! That'll take days for me!!
The absolute minimum would be 1.5 GB (Patch + Language). However, there'll be special servers set up that will cope with the stress and give a fast downlaod speed I've been told :wink:
A new contest just started, anyone (even those who are just forum users) are welcome to participate (and you can send in multiple submissions):
Link
Release date has now been confirmed as the 16th of September for North America and 19th of September for the rest of the world ~:)
Oblivion gives you lots of freedom to do nothing meaningful. Therefore that 'freedom' doesn't amount to anything IMO.
The 'characters' in Oblivion are talking heads. There is no sense of relationship with them to your character or emotional investment in them.
The same is true for Oblivion's 'story' and the quests in Oblivion, which feel meaningless compared to The Witcher's quests because there is no sense of accomplishment in beating a quest in Oblivion since it doesn't amount to rewarding you with any emotional payoff that you might care about.
The Witcher is one of the best games I've ever seen in terms of developing meaningful relationships with NPCs and fleshing them out deeply into as close to an illusion of real persons, being your real friends, as is possible to do in a video game. The only other games I've seen do something like this is Deus Ex or maybe KOTOR. Plus The Witcher gives you lots of different options to choose that have different effects on how the story develops. I would say The Witcher does give you a large degree of freedom, and it always remains emotionally meaningful (the total opposite of Oblivion's 'freedom' which IMO is emotionally meaningless).
I've actually made some of the dialogues in The Witcher not make sense because I made my character do things in an odd order that the programmers didn't account for in the programming code. It's not perfect by any stretch, but at least it does give you some choices about how to proceed and what order you want to do quests in.
I'd say Witcher is a million times better of a game than Oblivion. I've give Witcher 8.5/10 (not even the enhanced edition which would be higher, probably). I'd give Oblivion 3/10.
I'm hoping the download comes with a torrent file. There's nothing worse than being 99% complete on a several gig download, only to have your computer crash.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Navaros
I think you're being unfair, for one, Oblivion's freedom meant that the main storyline had to be loose, secondly the charecters in the main story are pretty well done considering the game and the atmosphere. There were more than few memorable moments in the game, one that I remember instantly is when the player has to close the Great Gate opened near Bruma, the scene looks and sounds great.
Voice acting for the generic charecters might not be awesome, but it's no better in the Witcher, the main charecters on the other hand have had their voices done by pretty well known people, I remeber reading that Sean Bean did it for one of the major charecters.
The dialouge is quite nice too......nothing compared to the Witcher (but again remember, that is a different kind of game, a game with a series of book behind it); A good example is the dialouge of Sheogorath in the Shivering Island xpack.
You mean the free update for game owners? I'm guessing it probably won't officially as its only meant for game owners and not for those who don't own it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kekvit Irae
Eriash said that they'll have enough server power internally to handle all the demand, so that should hopefully be sufficient. I'll have another word with him though if you like ~:)
I bought this game months ago, but my old computer just couldn't run it. Now, however, I'm hardly able to pull myself away. This is a stonkingly good game, and one that I suspect will have a greater degree of replayability than most of the other RPGs on my shelf. Not quite as dark and gritty as I'd hoped, but it's a well realised world, and I'm loving the moral ambiguity and constantly scheming characters so far. I'm only at Chapter 2.. who the hell do I trust?! :2thumbsup:
By the way, the Enchanced Edition download for owners of the normal game should be out soon. :2thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Justiciar
Its out now ~:)
http://www.thewitcher.com/forum/index.php?topic=16804.0
Additional mirrors:
http://www.thewitcher.com/forum/index.php?topic=16808.0
I've got a depressing 30 Kbps connection speed, so downloading the whole thing at once would never be possible, but those split rapidshare links now; Tell me are the five links on top of the page the ones that contain the patch or what else?
RS doesn't work for me behind a college network, but from reading the thread this is the update without language pack.
This page should give you a better idea of how vast the enchanced edition update really is:http://www.thewitcher.com/community/...pdate_faq.html
I'm personally looking forward to work on my Spanish and Russian by playing it. :2thumbsup:
Currently the Witcher Community Week is running and quite a few extras a re being released, like 2 new fan modules :2thumbsup:
Oh, and if you need any help with the game, send me a message there :wink:
Incredibly fun. The voice acting was a bit iffy at times, but all in all I enjoyed it.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Quote:
Originally Posted by FactionHeir
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
So, I'm playing the game, nearly at the end of the Gold Rush quest, I try to enter the sewers to stop the elf, and I get an error, 'Cannot load module, invalid IFO file'..........I leave the building, go out the sewer enterance in the city, and try there......same error. Clicking cancel/ok, both result in re-transfer to the load game menu.
Any ideas? What can I do?
I am currently replaying the game now with the EE version (didn't finish it the first time for multiple reasons). With the load times vastly decreased, the inventory system greatly improved, and the dialog polished up, this game is greatly improved from its release version. I have not completed it yet, but The Witcher EE has potential to top my list of best recent (post IE and 'Modded Morrowind') RPGs.
So you think Internet Explorer is an adventure, eh? :inquisitive:
No seriously, IE?
Infinity Engine - the Infinity Engine games are Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Tormet, Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate II, and Icewind Dale II.
So, I've finished the game thrice now, but still haven't been able to get all those awesome concept art cutscenes, where you hear Geralt speaking as you see this paiting like picture.....truth be told I liked those a lot......so does anyone know where I can watch all of them without having to go through the game again? I tried Youtube, but no good there.......
I may go perusing through the files folder to see if I can locate and convert the painted scenes. I'm glad others like the style, too.
Oh boy oh boy I love the style! I do!
I already have the artworks, all of them.....got them off gamespot, but not the dialogue :(