I’m praying that my PC is up to scratch for The Witcher 3, because I can’t settle for anything less than the best when it eventually launches. The game looks absolutely gorgeous at max settings, and it seems that streaming the game over the internet has little to no effect on that. At least, that’s what Nvidia wanted viewers to believe during their livestream last night.
Taking the stage at GDC, Nvidia showcased their new Grid Streaming service by playing a little bit of The Witcher 3 on their new Shield Console. The powerful new console, coupled with the speed of Grid, deliver The Witcher 3 in some stunning beauty. Just take a look at the gameplay below (which was unfortunately captured from the livestream itself).
There’s isn’t anything new to digest, other than the fact that enemies are literally going to curse themselves silly when they catch sight of Geralt the monster hunter. It’s a brand new look at the game, and at a different time of day too. It’s early morning, so there are some pretty mind-blowing sunrise vistas in the distance, as well as light shafts cracking through tress that make me reconsidering if I’ve done enough with my PC.
It also makes great argument for Nvidia’s new console. The Android powered device combines some beefy hardware with what looks like a great streaming service. If your internet is up to scratch. (which sadly isn’t the case locally), this could be a serious option for you in your living room.
The Witcher 3 is out this May, and it’s looking to wrap up the trilogy quite spectacularly.
Last Updated: March 4, 2015
ElimiNathan
March 4, 2015 at 12:35
“Oh wow look at how the shadows are cast perfectly over the blades of grass”. What is this 2002 ?
ReaperOfSquirrels
March 4, 2015 at 12:37
*Looks at screenshot*
I’m never going to be able to play this game…
*Sobs in a corner*
Ranting Raptor
March 4, 2015 at 12:38
And what’s best is the guy stated it wasn’t running at max settings as they want to “surprise” people at launch with just how good it looks.
Andrew Shaw
March 4, 2015 at 14:10
OR. “We couldn’t run the game at max settings without crashing the system. But we hope we’ll nail it before launch.”
Ranting Raptor
March 4, 2015 at 16:21
There’s that too. I’m really hoping they weren’t bulldusting though
Kikmi
March 4, 2015 at 12:43
Fucking insane. I’m entirely in awe.
WitWolfy
March 4, 2015 at 12:47
What GP?U does this thing have?? because for a moment I just assumed this was going to be a yet another Android box.
CypherGate
March 4, 2015 at 12:55
It has the new Nvidia Tegra X1 mobile gpu in it. That is a beast on its own.
Mexor
March 4, 2015 at 16:27
That game was being run on NVIDIA GeForce GPUs in a server farm and streamed over the Internet as a demonstration of their GRID gaming service. The actual console itself doesn’t have a GPU capable of running that game itself (but they showed some other games like Doom 3 and Crysis 3 running on the console hardware).
Ranting Raptor
March 4, 2015 at 12:52
Not to be that guy (And remember that I’m team green myself), but streaming games from a “cloud” based computer is not new. There are other services that do this.
Streaming really comes with its own set of problems. Even if you have just 150ms of delay, it’s still 150ms of delay compared to a more instant response locally.
Streaming services like this currently keep failing for a reason. The reason is that the vast majority of people who would want to use this (Gamers) don’t have fast enough, good quality lines. This is across the world. Yes, the US and UK have some amazing connections but most users sit with fairly average lines that aren’t meant for this kind of service. Not on a sustainable quality level anyway.
The idea behind it is solid and as long as the streaming portion is never charged a subscribtion fee, it is something that can help future proof the device. Buy the game, don’t download and instantly start playing with streaming. Epic idea once internet catches up on a more “avg joe” kind of level.
Now the console does seem to have some native support where the games have been optimised with Android support. So that’s pretty cool. Hopefully it will be enough to make it last until internet speeds and quality are up to the task of streaming the non-android games that need a Windows computer running DX12 or whatever is the norm of the day.
SupportingDRMsince1975
March 4, 2015 at 12:52
Will be the Biggest Disappointment in 2015 gameplay and story wise. Probably be broken game anyway..
-DRM is Love DRM is Life.
Timmy_1988
March 4, 2015 at 12:55
I agree, ps these graphics look average to me.
Support DRM!
Admiral Chief
March 4, 2015 at 13:16
Oi Ryanza, you troller you!
Nikola
March 4, 2015 at 13:37
It must be him right?? that’s what I was thinking!!
Defender
March 4, 2015 at 15:07
How jou be naaier, ek belowe ek sal jou fokken donner een dag, piel gevriet
SupportingDRMsince1975
March 4, 2015 at 15:11
Dis van Piel wil sien in jou Witcher 3 dat jy so perform..
-DRM is Love DRM is Life.
Defender
March 4, 2015 at 15:16
Jy gaan vir my piel sien as eks klaar met jou
Dutch Matrix
March 4, 2015 at 15:22
Die enigste ding wat jou piel tans sien is die Afrikaanse taal. Hou asseblief op om dit so te verkrag. Dankie en Groete.
RinceThis
March 4, 2015 at 13:15
Not bad. So is this their Witcher III version of DRM in full force?
Mexor
March 4, 2015 at 16:29
No, the guy from CD Projekt Red said they were holding back for the full release, whatever that means.
Nikola
March 4, 2015 at 13:38
“Witcher 3 is coming #Don’tsupportDRM”
– In memory of Ryanza (who just vanished one day)
Matthew Holliday
March 4, 2015 at 13:46
he’s commented a few times since he disappeared, keeps reminding us that he’s always watching, but apparently we troll too hard for him.
Nikola
March 4, 2015 at 14:06
ahhhh yes Ryanza will always be around he is the hero we deserve but not the one we need right now!
Nikola
March 4, 2015 at 13:43
Excited for this though really looking forward to getting back into Witcher universe one of my favorite game franchise and not so long of a wait!!! Only thing I am hoping is a bit of an improvement in combat hoping it is a bit faster last two felt a bit too slow. He is a Witcher they supposed to be lighting fast certainly did not feel like that in previous games.
Matthew Holliday
March 4, 2015 at 13:48
been reading the books, getting amped for this.
combat was real slow in witcher 2, this looks more realistic, which im happy about, they cant really make him so fast that he’s OP though, so im fine, so long as it doesnt feel sluggish like the previous games.
fred
March 4, 2015 at 13:47
tress mmmmm , whats that
Lardus-Resident Perve
March 4, 2015 at 13:54
“a long lock of a woman’s hair” – I don’t know why he would use it in this context though…
fred
March 5, 2015 at 10:11
yeah , think he meant trees , treesfx at play here
FoxOneZA
March 4, 2015 at 13:51
I want to see what the Witcher 3 looks like without the power of GRiD.
Jack
March 4, 2015 at 22:22
You jelly ? 😀
Tulipdame
March 4, 2015 at 16:06
Yeah…this streaming stuff is never going to work here in South Africa. One of the reasons I am seriously considering immigrating. So, Shield doesn’t even need to launch here. Especially because it can’t play such games locally.