The Witcher 3 is still a few months away, but it isn’t the only game from the series that CD Project RED is working on. Last year a brand new MOBA set in the Witcher universe was announced, but since then there’s been hardly anything else about the title. That’s going to change though – because the game is out in two days.
The Witcher MOBA, Battle Arena, is being developed by both CD Projekt RED and Fuero Games, and will be a free-to-play title on both iOS and Android. The title is described as a mobile-focused experience, which means it’s going to ship with true mobile gaming mechanics: microtransactions. Players can earn in-game currency by just playing, or fast track it using their credit card.
That’s already a nail in the coffin for most MOBA titles, especially if it affects actual gameplay, but CD Project RED maintains that there are no pay-to-win mechanics in the game. Battle Arena is also meant to cater for new players, offering a gentle learning curve. Expert MOBA players have more complex plays to look forward to, as well as strategic uses of skill-based abilities. So, like a regular MOBA then.
The Witcher Battle Arena sounds like more of a marketing ploy than a serious mobile title, but you’ll have the chance to check for yourself on January 22nd. The game is also still set to launch on Windows mobile and tablets later this year.
Last Updated: January 20, 2015
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:01
Ryanza comment in 3, 2, 1…
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 20, 2015 at 11:35
DON’T SUPPORT DRM!!!!
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:36
Timing. This is not the right time. Witcher Moba shit.
Ottokie
January 20, 2015 at 11:02
Your kidding right…?
ToshZA
January 20, 2015 at 11:36
*You’re
/Grammar Nazi Mode
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 20, 2015 at 11:38
I hope you are with that spelling… *runs*
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 11:05
So this is how The Witcher dies. Never saw it coming.
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:19
A stupid moba game won’t kill The Witcher. The Witcher liked killed off DRM in a few days. Don’t mess with the power of … enter credit card details for the rest of this comment…
Hammersteyn
January 20, 2015 at 11:20
“enter credit card details for the rest of this comment” Bwahahaha!
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 11:21
LOL
You might be surprised how developers change their minds once the money starts rolling in. And it will with a MOBA.
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:40
The first chink in its armour…
Hammersteyn
January 20, 2015 at 11:05
But this wont have DRM?
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:21
Well you have to be online to play? tehehe
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:23
There should be an offline mode and vs bots.
But Google and Apple – yes DRM.
Hammersteyn
January 20, 2015 at 11:23
Offline mode and vs bots. like Evolve?
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:24
Not like Evolve. Like Steam.
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:25
Steam is offline?
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:27
Still DRM.
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:28
Yes, my point…
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 11:28
It can be yes, without problem. But then I can’t access the store to buy MOAR!!!! ;P
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:39
or microtransact!
Hammersteyn
January 20, 2015 at 11:10
My biggest problem with gaming
http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/b2/b2a32516d1ddbc348a6d127cf65a75a02a7827733aa0143c5c61d4f688ced4dd.jpg
Ottokie
January 20, 2015 at 11:11
Here is a “leaked” image from the MOBA development department.
b1nd3r
January 20, 2015 at 11:16
Yoh they still fresh 😀
Ghost In The Rift
January 20, 2015 at 11:13
Well i did not see that coming
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:21
Soooo. Would that be… Witcher and DRM in one sentence? RUNS
Jaded_Reprobate
January 20, 2015 at 11:23
poor Ryanza… could see his heart breaking as he read this article
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:23
lol
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:34
Moba games is not really my thing. So no heart break. Couldn’t care any less. But there is a big Moba following out there for some reason. I’m sure this game is just to get the name Witcher out there in the Moba crowd.
Witcher Moba. Witcher 3, they say is really good. Let me give that a try as a Moba player. Marketing.
hairyknees
January 20, 2015 at 11:26
Meh I gave it a bash at Gamescom. It seems meh compared to Vainglory. Will give it another bash though
Hammersteyn
January 20, 2015 at 11:26
You bash every MOBA that’s not DOTA 😛
hairyknees
January 20, 2015 at 11:35
Not true 😛 I’m actually very open minded! I play League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, AND Vainglory now and then. Dota 2 still remains my fave though 🙂
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 11:36
I don’t know if you’ve heard the stories, but there are other genres of games also ;P
hairyknees
January 20, 2015 at 11:38
I know 😛 been playing Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy X-2, Super Smash Bros.
Recently finished Valiant Hearts and currently busy with Child of Light as well 🙂
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 11:42
Oh man. Valiant Hearts and Child of Light. Two of 2014’s best games. Some seriously good stuff.
I only played the original Warcraft DOTA mod, but wasn’t much my thing. Love the whole Warcraft universe though, even if it is a ripoff of Warhammer 😉
ToshZA
January 20, 2015 at 11:37
I need to get back into HotS >_<
hairyknees
January 20, 2015 at 11:39
Haven’t played it for a while myself 🙂 I like playing it now and then.
RinceThis
January 20, 2015 at 11:41
Yeah but you have absolutely no taste in games *RUNS
hairyknees
January 20, 2015 at 11:43
*insert “at least I have a soul” retort here* 😛
Guild
January 20, 2015 at 12:18
Ya I noticed the now and then with Vainglory 😛 I’m still playing it every day.
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 11:33
The Witcher is a story rich, and story driven game. This is a cash-in.
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 11:52
Ok let me try and spin this.
CD Projekt RED games has so far just been single player games. This Moba game could just be a small scale attempt at multiplayer action. Cyberpunk 2077 is coming and if the game is just single player that would be fine. But with a shooting game with some added multiplayer would be nice, if they can get it right. Added multiplayer would also help promote and keep people using their DRM-FREE client called Galaxy.
Cash-in or testing out multiplayer on a small scale.
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 12:01
Good point there. Imagine that Witcher 3 map to explore with a friend. That’s some multiplayer or co-op that I can do.
ToshZA
January 20, 2015 at 12:03
how would you co-op those 18+ nekkid scenes?
With tissues? 😛
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 12:03
Do you want to play as Ciri or Yennefer?
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 12:06
I wonder between Ciri, Yennefer and Triss, who has the most eyeliner.
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 12:07
Me
Kensei Seraph
January 20, 2015 at 12:37
The Witcher Adventure Game was a pretty good multiplayer game and is already out.
http://www.gog.com/game/witcher_adventure_game
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 20, 2015 at 11:35
NO!!! STOP IT!
I SAY 7 TIMES! STOP IT!!!!
Mobas need to die! I hate MOBAS!!!!
hairyknees
January 20, 2015 at 11:36
http://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/000/894/wahmbulance.jpg <3
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 20, 2015 at 11:37
You shut your MOBA loving mouth! 😛
hairyknees
January 20, 2015 at 11:39
So much hate for the genre :'(
That being said, I also feel it is getting flooded. EVERY COMPANY IS MAKING A MOBA!
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 20, 2015 at 11:41
Hehe. Ok let me be calm. The genre can be cool. There are some that do really well, but I hate this bandwagon thing going on. Every company is doing it 🙁 Next you know Nintendo are going to release Pokemon of the Forrest MOBA (POF for short)
ToshZA
January 20, 2015 at 12:02
with just over 700 pokemon to choose from, and the way everything can be counter-picked by default would make that the worst moba in history.
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 20, 2015 at 11:42
What will the MIcrotransactions be? Pay $1 to unlock naked woman in pool for your starting location?
Captain JJ Saga
January 20, 2015 at 11:44
Sounds like the Witcher.
You’ll need to pay a dollar for every bit of clothing you DON’T want.
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 20, 2015 at 11:44
Whahahahahaahhaahaha. Talk about pay-to-unlock
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 12:00
Anyway fuck this Witcher news. Last week there was a press event held in Poland to give press hands-on time with The Witcher 3. Another press event is planned for this week in North America.
So from Monday (26th) onwards is when the press can start posting about their hands-on experience with The Witcher 3. Word is that it’s good.
Don’t Support DRM. The Witcher 3 is coming.
Ryanza
January 20, 2015 at 12:01
Was Lazygamer invited to one of these press events?