I recently finished The Witcher 3. Wow, what a game. Of course, that’s only really the beginning. I let myself get distracted with review games, and I’m currently exploring Horizon: Zero Dawn, but when I’m ready I will return to Geralt’s boots to play the DLC. From what everyone has said, the DLC is a real treat. And it’s that word of mouth, and people like me who still need to buy all that DLC, that are making more awesome games from CD Projekt Red possible.
According to their 2016 revenue briefing, revenue remains strong, as explained by Piotr Nielubowicz, VP for Financial Affairs:
The strong market position of The Witcher underpins the commercial success of the Blood and Wine expansion pack, published in May. The 2016 revenues and net profit of the CD PROJEKT Capital Group were equivalent to 75% of the corresponding figures for 2015, which is when the release of The Witcher 3 took place. These excellent financial results for the past two years enable us to pursue new, ambitious undertakings and further expand our enterprise. Key development projects currently underway include Cyberpunk 2077 and GWENT: The Witcher Card Game.
For a studio to continue to earn so much money well after a game’s release is a testament to how fantastic their product really is. Gamers are notorious for jumping onto the latest and greatest stuff, often forgetting about older titles. It’s why we all face such daunting backlogs – why play those games when there’s something new and exciting that’s just been released? The Witcher 3 is continuing to sell, and its audience just keeps growing thanks to DLC and definitive editions. In fact, since the release of the first installment in The Witcher trilogy, 25 million copies of The Witcher games have been sold. Not too shabby for a game that still can’t make combat that interesting.
You know what I did a lot of while playing The Witcher 3? I spent an inordinate amount of time playing Gwent. My other half even commented that more often than not when he checked in to see what I was up to in the game, I was busy playing Gwent with a random merchant. I just couldn’t help myself! Of course, CD Projekt Red is releasing a stand-alone Gwent game, and it sounds pretty cool so far. If you’re on PS4, you can actually try out Gwent this weekend for free… if you’re in the right region
CD Projekt Red wants to test server capacity on PS4, so please remember that this is a beta and you might encounter many glitches and server issues. However, if you want to play more Witcher card game this weekend, simply head to the PS Store and download the 3GB “GWENT: The Witcher Card Game PlayStation 4 Technical Beta” file. You don’t need PS Plus to do so. The Beta runs from 31 March to 3 April, and while you’ll be able to play the tutorial and play online against other players, you won’t be able to buy additional content or experience the campaign. The Beta is open for Europe (which I guess no longer includes the UK), North America and South America – I couldn’t find it in my local PlayStation Store, but it might become available closer to the start of the Beta.
We still don’t know when the free-to-play Gwent (which is also coming to PC and Xbox One) will be released.
Last Updated: March 30, 2017
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 15:20
It’s on sale on Steam now…and you can buy the expansion pass for less than one of the expansions by itself (also on sale) for some strange reason.
Dresden
March 30, 2017 at 15:28
That’s ridiculously cheap! I bought the season pass for the original price of R260 odd and that was already so much content for such a little price.
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 15:30
I bought it last night. Been waiting for the right time. Not that I specifically waited for a sale, but I did buy Witcher 3 twice (once pre-order and once to have on Steam (on sale) ), so I think I’ve supported them quite a bit 🙂
Dresden
March 30, 2017 at 15:41
If you paid twice for any other game I would’ve pitied you, but not for this one. Supporting them can only lead to even more great things I hope.
You are in for a treat with the DLC’s. I would dare say it’s even better than the main story if only because it’s much more humorous and lighthearted in general.
Banana Jim's Final Form!
March 30, 2017 at 16:55
Absolutely! I would gladly buy another copy of Witcher, just to support CD Projekt Red!
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 15:22
I know Geralt’s story is over now, but I would love a Ciri Witcher game in the future.
Dresden
March 30, 2017 at 15:23
250 hours into TW3 and I’ve only now started with the Blood and Wine expansion.
I honestly can’t believe how amazing and immersive these DLC’s are. It’s JUST. THAT. GOOD.
Matthew Holliday
March 30, 2017 at 15:25
Really enjoyed Gwent in Witcher 3, but the standalone game really wasnt as exciting.
Its alot more in depth and challenging, but its not Witcher 3 and its not as much fun.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 30, 2017 at 15:41
I’m looking forward to the SP Gwent campaign.
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 15:56
With full story! 😛
I really enjoyed gwent. But not sure if I would get that into a Gwent only game.
miaau
March 30, 2017 at 15:50
I, on the other hand, did not and got bored of playing quite quickly.
When I replay Witcher 3 later this year (I have schedules) I want to try to get more into it, perhaps look for more cards, that sort of thing.
Dresden
March 30, 2017 at 17:30
It gets quite monotonous after a while I agree.
To make it more interesting for me, I put in all the spy cards available to the Northern Realms deck (there are quite a few).
The spy mechanic is a lot of fun for me personally and it stretches out what would of once been plain old, boring games.
Galbedir
March 30, 2017 at 15:25
They deserve every damn penny they’ve earned. Cyberpunk 2077 is without a doubt, the only upcoming game that I will pre-order without hesitation.
Dresden
March 30, 2017 at 15:38
The standalone Gwent game may be in beta but I’ve honestly not experienced a single glitch or bug in the game so far (I’ve spent countless of hours so far playing it).
A tip for anyone interested in downloading this or who already has it, try to get as many levels and ranks as you can. When they switch over from closed beta to open beta, you will obviously lose your collection you have built up (seeing as they want to let everyone have an fair and equal start), but you will receive card packs* for ranks & levels you’ve accrued over the course of the closed beta.
Here’s a guideline to the rewards you will receive:
Every Card Keg you purchased — we will return you the amount of Kegs you bought with real money.
Card Kegs for Player Levels — starting from level 5, you get 2 Kegs every 5 levels.
Card Kegs for your rank — 2 Kegs for each rank.
All end-season rewards.
All items granted as gifts from CD PROJEKT RED (like the gift premium Geralt card).
*Kegs are cardpacks.
Banana Jim's Final Form!
March 30, 2017 at 15:57
Witcher uber alles! The incompetent and Marxist-minded mutants at Bioware need to take notes from the Polish ubermench at CD Projekt Red!
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 16:10
Another very important thing I forgot to say…
YENNEFER!