Home Gaming There’s so much drama over those cheap Witcher 3 download codes

There’s so much drama over those cheap Witcher 3 download codes

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Drama-Llama

Anyway you slice it, it’s painfully obvious that gaming has become expensive these days. Hell, even PC games aren’t immune to this, with their platform of choice long having been the domain of new games at reasonable prices. Still, if it’s a game that you genuinely want, you’re going to drop that coin anyway. But PC gamers usually have the advantage of daily deals that shave dollars off of upcoming games. And CD Projekt RED isn’t too happy with one digital retailers massive discount on The Witcher 3.

Right now, Green Man Gaming is offering The Witcher at a pre-order price of $39, a helluva discount compared to the standard retail price of $60 for the game. That’s low. That’s crazy. Crazier than the specials at Barry Lipschitz motors, which now includes a service plan for a full year. CD Projekt RED agree that the price is crazy, and they’re absolutely befuddled at how Green Man Gaming got codes for the game. That also means that profits for the game will most likely be zero, something that CDPR isn’t happy about. Speaking to Gamespot, a CDPR representative said that the studio didn’t know where Green Man Gaming had acquired the codes, with CDPR asking fans on their forums not to purchase game codes from GMG.

I would kindly ask our fans not to buy via GMG at this time. We had not sold them Keys and don’t know the origin of them.

Green Man Gaming on the other hand, claim the keys are indeed legitimate, explaining to Gamespot that the keys were purchased from other sources after their own deal with CDPR struck out.

“Following a six-month dialogue with [CD Projekt RED] about the launch of The Witcher 3, we were disappointed that despite the offer of significant cash advances, and other opportunities to officially work together, CDPR chose not to engage with a number of significant, reputable, and successful retailers, including ourselves, as they instead focused on supporting their own platform GOG,” Green Man Gaming CEO Paul Sulyok said.

Sulyok explained that the GMG keys were acquired from retailers who had struck a deal with CDPR, so the developer would actually see returns on the game when it presumably sells gangbusters around May 19. I’m at a point where where CDPR has accrued so much goodwill with their gaming practices, that they’ve got enough good karma to eat a baby sandwich and get away with it. So the last thing I want to see, is the company get done over on the profits that they do deserve for the game. At the same time, I’m all too familiar with the human condition of having to sacrifice actual food for a month in order to own a hot new game.

Man, so much drama.

Last Updated: May 7, 2015

56 Comments

  1. I really think that we don’t need to be involved with a pricing issue between developer and reseller. GMG is a legit, Steam approved reseller. If they did acquire the keys through legitimate avenues (other approved resellers) then they can offer whatever price they want. It’s there profit or loss. If, on the other hand, the keys they purchased aren’t legit then I can agree whole heartedly with CDPR.

    Personally, I think the two of them need to work it out in a private meeting. No need to involve the public.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      May 7, 2015 at 08:22

      Agreed

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        May 7, 2015 at 08:53

        You may agree all you like. BUT how are you and the new missus doing? Great honeymoon and all that, I trust? ALSO, I expected a review from you of the honeymoon, as per game web site rules. (ok, I am probably just making stuff up now)

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Fantasticus

          May 7, 2015 at 08:58

          Haha. We’re doing well, thanks. Not much has changed otherwise, we’ve been together so long. Though she now (unfortunately for her) bears my surname (her decision actually).
          Honeymoon was great. Got too much sun, which was nice. 😀

          Reply

          • Brady miaau

            May 7, 2015 at 09:17

            Awesome stuff.

            My wife could not wait to get my surname!

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            May 7, 2015 at 09:21

            No one could ever pronounce or spell hers correctly, that’s why she opted to take mine.
            Now her name just sounds a lot less exotic :/

          • Brady miaau

            May 7, 2015 at 09:26

            Mine is VERY English but much shorter than hers was

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            May 7, 2015 at 09:27

            Much is VERY Afrikaans, but also shorter 😀

        • Emily Johnson

          May 7, 2015 at 17:28

          lazygamer Is The Best

          ????????? Get More Info —->Read More Here<—- <<>>>

          llllvbgt

          Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      May 7, 2015 at 08:33

      *their

      And yes, you have very valid points

      Reply

      • Izzy

        May 7, 2015 at 08:44

        Yeah, I there is no wrong side here, as far as I can see. All CDPR can do is “kindly ask”, other than that both of them seem respectable and just want to make their buck. The ball is completely passed to the consumer this time around. Interesting to see how this will pan out. Granted, I don’t want to see CDPR’s positive outlook soured so soon because of financial issues. They are my “fairy tale” developer at the moment. I, too, want to believe they can do no wrong. Haha.

        Reply

  2. Ross Woofels Mason

    May 7, 2015 at 08:23

    Witcher 3 launches on my birthday on I cant even play it, the pain =p So they can have their little price war lol, by the time I buy it, it will be on a steam sale =p

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      May 7, 2015 at 08:25

      This is just wrong man. You need the Witcher 3 on your birthday.

      Reply

    • Pariah

      May 7, 2015 at 08:54

      I dont even meet the min requirements for graphics. XD

      Reply

      • Greylingad

        May 7, 2015 at 08:55

        You mean you also don’t have a Titan X?!

        Reply

        • Pariah

          May 7, 2015 at 08:56

          GTX660 is min lol – I wasn’t talking recommended.

          Reply

          • Greylingad

            May 7, 2015 at 08:59

            Hehehe, well, I’m sure that a 760 should still be a cheapish solution, not sure about availability though….

          • Pariah

            May 7, 2015 at 09:02

            Problem is that you need money to be able to buy one. I can spare a max of R300 in a month for gaming related stuff. That’s a LOT of saving if I want a graphics card, and saving means I don’t buy games. For over a year…

          • SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5

            May 7, 2015 at 09:07

            Maybe if you stopped buying compendium points…. 😉

          • Pariah

            May 7, 2015 at 09:19

            BUT SHINEYS. Also, that was my entire gaming budget done for the month. Next payday is coming. Don’t support The Witcher 3.

          • Brady miaau

            May 7, 2015 at 09:22

            I am extremely impressed that you not only seem to have a budget BUT that you stick to it like that. Very good self discipline. I obviously struggle in that department

          • Pariah

            May 7, 2015 at 09:35

            Some months really test that discipline, let me tell you. It’s very VERY difficult not to just click that buy button. I have 30 games on wishlist, when one goes on sale there’s always this debate that rages on. 😛

          • Brady miaau

            May 7, 2015 at 10:15

            Good on yer

          • Greylingad

            May 7, 2015 at 09:08

            Aish…. don’t worry, I’m in exactly the same boat and with another little padawan coming…

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            May 7, 2015 at 09:05

            The R7 260x of AMD is actually a really good card for the price. But it’s still pushing R2k, so it’s not exactly cheap.

      • Ross Woofels Mason

        May 7, 2015 at 10:04

        myself lol, I am out by just a-bit but i’d rather hold back till I have a better ring or a ps4 =p

        Reply

        • Pariah

          May 7, 2015 at 10:07

          I’m honestly wishing I could afford a PS4 right now. :/

          Reply

  3. Izzy

    May 7, 2015 at 08:25

    And thus the so-called CD Projekt RED zealots’ faith will be tested! It will be interesting to see just how resolute gamers are when the stones they usually cast is now aimed at their object of worship, so to speak.

    Reply

  4. Greylingad

    May 7, 2015 at 08:26

    Gee wizz! That’s a third of the price off, I would steer clear of those keys…

    Reply

    • Witcher Bob

      May 7, 2015 at 08:34

      CDPR offer a 20% discount if you register the keys (from any reseller or digital platform) of The Witcher 1 and 2 on GOG.com. So GMG is only really offering an additional 15% on the original price. Perhaps their calculations meant they could offer an additional discount and still make some profit based on high turnovers. I’ve purchased many games for GMG. They’re legit and have a very good reputation as a Steam reseller. I doubt they would jeopardise their core business over 1 game.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Fantasticus

        May 7, 2015 at 08:36

        Same thing on Steam. If you have Witcher 1 and 2, you get 20% off.
        Witcher Bob knows what’s up.

        Reply

      • Greylingad

        May 7, 2015 at 08:41

        You see, this is a pre-order price, not a price with conditions of prior support, and yes, if you count a discount of the previous purchases with that of GMG it adds up to about 35%, but I still wouldn’t go that route, it just seems too fishy to me…

        Reply

  5. Brady miaau

    May 7, 2015 at 08:49

    Serious question: Have any of you ever sacrificed necessities, like food (as Darryn mentions), in order to buy a game? Not a console or a new graphics card, a game.

    I wonder, is it worth it? If single and living alone, I might well have done so in my twenties. Cannot even remember doing it consciously.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      May 7, 2015 at 08:50

      No, never have, and I cannot do it now

      Reply

    • Witcher Bob

      May 7, 2015 at 08:54

      Not for a game. Had to forgo things (luxuries) in order to save for new components in the past but always had the bills paid and the basics in the fridge.

      Reply

    • Greylingad

      May 7, 2015 at 08:54

      I’m sure everyone has at some point given up a juicy fillet steak to rather play a game, but never necessities, that is simply idiotic…

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        May 7, 2015 at 09:18

        Have you met people? I have. It takes all sorts out there.

        Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      May 7, 2015 at 09:00

      I’ve only sacrificed children. Not food.
      Seriously though, I think my house would have nicer things in it if my wife and I weren’t gamers.

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        May 7, 2015 at 09:19

        Ah yes, the children gambit? BUT tell me, was it sacrificing children or the opportunity to practise producing them that was sacrificed? Subtle but important difference.

        AND if you and wife wanted nicer things you would prioritise them into your lives. We own a LOT of crap. We used to have, as it turns out, more disposable income than we thought (when we both worked) and bought crap.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Fantasticus

          May 7, 2015 at 09:20

          Ah. Your detective skills are unquestionable.
          You may be on to something there.

          Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      May 7, 2015 at 09:08

      When I was younger I really wanted to go to see Smashing Pumpkins live, so I sold a whole bunch of games to afford the ticket. It sucked so badly I’ve refused to see any live act since then & I’ll never sacrifice anything for an entertainment product.

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        May 7, 2015 at 09:16

        I hear you. All it takes is one big enough disappointment

        Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      May 7, 2015 at 09:36

      I was a student and I got a very small amount of money from my folks. I bought a game every 3 months, I got meat from our farm so there was more than enough of that going around. I lived on just meat and bread every 3 months so that I could have a new game… And my alcohol intake would plummet in those months!!

      Reply

  6. Pariah

    May 7, 2015 at 08:56

    And Origin’s pre-order price is still R450. All legit. And STILL cheaper than $39. #JustSaying

    Reply

    • SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5

      May 7, 2015 at 09:11

      The negative karma from using Origin is just too much for any living person to bear. Besides you. You have no soul. It’s no wonder you advertise for Origin for “free”.

      Reply

      • Pariah

        May 7, 2015 at 09:21

        There really isn’t anything wrong with Origin. Some of the games ON Origin are terribad, but if you look at Steam you’ll see shit-tonnes of terribad games.

        Stop hating for hate’s sake. Origin is good. Not as fleshed out as Steam, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s easy to use, works without issue, and keeps my games up to date (and also has sales, plus a free game every now and then that may or may not be worth it).

        Reply

        • SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5

          May 7, 2015 at 09:25

          So what you’re saying is “GINGERS UNITE”?

          Reply

        • Captain JJ Fantasticus

          May 7, 2015 at 09:26

          One of my big issues with Origin is how it releases old games, like Steam, but doesn’t bother to include patches to make them actually able to work on new systems. Hence they only care about selling the items, not about the customers who actually buy them.

          Reply

          • SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5

            May 7, 2015 at 09:28

            Sounds about right.

          • Pariah

            May 7, 2015 at 09:34

            That’s fair, but The Witcher 3 doesn’t fall into that category. I think it’ll be safe to buy TW3 from Origin, should one wish to save that money. I’ve never had an issue with new games on Origin, even Spore and the like still work for me, so it’s really down to exactly which games you buy. And I think it was just the C&C collection that had that issue, if I recall?

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            May 7, 2015 at 09:35

            I think 4 of those C&C games don’t have any patches. And the online is dead.
            There was also another two, might have been Crusader and something els.

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      May 7, 2015 at 09:25

      That Origin price is very good. If I wasn’t so adamant on the physical copy it would’ve been very alluring. Luckily the physical copy can be registered on Steam though.

      Reply

  7. Nikola

    May 7, 2015 at 09:08

    Don’t care I just want to play the game already:(( Would be great to win that Witcher 3 collectors edition hint hint!!

    Reply

  8. David Muller

    May 7, 2015 at 09:23

    Worth noting, GMG haven’t disclosed their sources of the keys, so who knows where they are getting them.

    Reply

  9. Neptune

    May 7, 2015 at 09:47

    Nep Nep, R700 PS4 game at BT Games… CHEAP AS CHIPS.

    The Game Disc

    An exclusive CD with the official soundtrack

    The official, developer-created ‘Witcher Universe – The Compendium’

    A beautiful, detailed map of the in-game world

    A set of unique Witcher 3 stickers

    A stylish, protective sleeve

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      May 7, 2015 at 09:50

      That’s not bad for a PS4 game. The exact PC version at BT sits at R520

      Reply

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