Wild Hunt, Free Stuff, Happy Gamers

Anyone who's ever played RPG's should have heard of The Witcher. A series spanning several books, short stories, TV shows, a movie, and a couple of games.

Polish developer CD Projekt Red's latest iteration of this game is said to be coming on May 17, 2015; and there's more to talk about than just game play and eye candy.

Although I haven't fully delved into this series myself (shame on me, I know) I have done a lot of reading about it; and, about the developer. And what I've read has really astounded me.

In a world of Call of Duty's, Need for Speed's and many other heavily milked franchises, it is difficult to believe the hype when you anticipate a new video game. Many times, these developers can be seen as nothing more than selfish, creativity-deprived corporate giants who simply have a hard on for milking gamers on an annual basis. Equally guilty are those gamers who each year, go out and purchase these games. Usually with very minute changes, different enough to market as "new" or "improved", or even sometimes both! (Say what?)

Then along comes a studio that makes you feel like your opinions count. Like your business is valued. And like they aren't out to just grab the cookies in your cookie jar. Enter CD Projekt.

Not only has this studio focused on creating content and business practice based on the voice of the community, but they have done so in a unique and unconventional way such as to set a gold standard for all of those other companies out there. And what a standard it is.

According to Marcin Iwinski (CD Projekt Red Co-Founder and Joint CEO) The Witcher 3 customers should be expecting what appears to be a sum of 16 free DLC packs some time after the game's release. This is absolutely unprecedented in scope and size, even though these packs will be relatively small in content. It shows that the studio appreciates it's audience, and values their business.

 "Because people just paid full price for our game, we owe them." said Marcin.

Mind blown.

 He added that he believes this will reduce the amount of pirated copies of the game, because players will be given their value and then some for the money they have paid (assuming they bought the game) and hopes they will be more inclined to not pirate or trade the game away. He went on to say that regardless of the fact, he hopes gamers have fun and enjoy the game.

Wow.

Obviously, this is a very bold statement, and I personally hope these other studios are paying attention. This is what it should be like. And I am hard-pressed to believe that any positive change will come of this from any of the major developers that we know here in North America. But regardless, I hope there is change, and that at least someone is doing the right thing. 

As for the actual content; the following is to be released later this year:

• Temerian armor set (for your horse)
• Beard and hairstyle set (for the main protagonist)

After this first initial release, there will be weekly releases of two expansion packs at a time. Marcin commented that this is the way he feels it should be done, and it is a way for the studio to thank it's customers for buying their game.

Bravo CD Projekt.

 Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think about this, as well as your thoughts on the industry and piracy in general relating to DLC (including those pesky ones found on the disc that you have to pay for anyway).

Until next time, stay classiy!

Scary