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[Denton]

BTW what games used Hairworks? I can only remember FC4 and CoD Ghosts in very limited capacity...anything else ?

 

[Totobeni]

Yes PC only. They did show it in PC gameplay videos.
Looks fantastic and it applies to many assets (characters, monsters).

oh thanks for the info. I thought since TressFX was on consoles this will be too.

BTW what games used Hairworks? I can only remember FC4 and CoD Ghosts in very limited capacity...anything else ?

yeah only Witcher, COD and FC4 so far.
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/hairworks/games

but Witcher 3 will be the first to use it for human characters/hair and beards (Ghosts and FC4 just used it for fur iirc)

 

[erawsd]

BTW what games used Hairworks? I can only remember FC4 and CoD Ghosts in very limited capacity...anything else ?

Looking at the wiki page, those are the only ones listed.

 

[erawsd]

I feel like the dialogue about the quests in this game is getting a bit weird. I get a general sense that people are expecting something fresh here, but what we've seen isn't really indicative of anything all that revolutionary. It's still "Talk to this person, initiate some dialogue with other NPC's, eventually kill a monster". There's a general tendency for people to bemoan fetch-quests and champion the fact that the game doesn't have it, but in a way, it still does: You'll have to gather materials to craft weapons and upgrades for your equipment.

I'm confident the game will be great and I'm excited to see the writing in the game, as it was pretty great in the last two. But I'm not really seeing where this game deviates all that much from the norm in terms of quests. Perhaps from different Dragon Age, but it seems to fall in line with say, New Vegas, in terms of how the quests shake out. That's perfectly fine, I love NV after all, but I don't think they're reinventing the wheel.

I think your definition of fetch quest is a little too loose. Accept quest>do objective>complete quest is only a fetch quest if that is all there is to it and the player feels like they got nothing out of it, especially when it undermines the narrative. If the quest tells a good story, has some twists and turns, incorporates interesting gameplay mechanics along the way, or has some meaningful impact on the game world. These things elevate it above fetch quest.

I agree that their not reinventing the wheel, they even admit that NV is one of their inspirations for quest design. The reason we hear so much about it is because there is a lot of doubt that they can pull it off in a game of this size, especially after games of similar scale from much larger developers have leaned on randomizers and MMO style quests to fill their worlds.

 

[Kezen]

oh thanks for the info. I thought since TressFX was on consoles this will be too.

It certainly *could* be used on consoles but the performance hit might be unreasonable. The technology is apparently very scalable but uses tessellation, some will say to deliberately punish AMD hardware.

yeah only Witcher, COD and FC4 so far.
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/hairworks/games
but Witcher 3 will be the first to use it for human characters/hair and beards (Ghosts and FC4 just used it for fur iirc)

I don't remember it being used for hair until now. Needless to be a genius to predict this is going to be very demanding in some situation.

 

[BatSu]

edit .. is old

 

[Denton]

The absolute worst kind of video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uFiZAKD_GQ#t=182

Young Ciri can be seen and some snippets of gameplay, but most time is taken by admiring the freaking hardware

 

[Denton]

And one more thing:

http://ctrl500.com/game-design/the-witcher-3-quest-design-how-to-not-drown/

The Witcher 3 Quest Design: How To Not Drown, by lead quest designer

Webs of variables and branches in our games have always been very complicated, posing a huge challenge for quest designers to control and keep track of. This becomes even more visible in The Witcher 3, since we introduced the possibility to play big chunks of storylines, connected logically with each other, in different order. This has generated the necessity of referring to events from these different storylines in quest dialogues, in order to keep character believability and player immersion with the game world.

As for how do we approach this problem – we’re using a tool set very similar to tool set from The Witcher. We have a system called ‘facts database’, which is basically a list of variables that can be modified or checked by conditions from quest or dialogue level. This list is filled dynamically in real-time as the player goes through the game, so we can’t really see all the facts from within the editor. We do have a debugger, that allows us to easily check what facts have already been added to the database, but it can be used only in-game.
Getting lost

That being said, it needs to be highlighted that we do not posses any miraculous system solution to the problem of designers getting lost in that ‘web’ – we maintain control over quests logic by using good pipelines, organizing our work properly, and keeping our documentation up-to-date. For example, we keep track of most important ‘facts’ that are being used and checked in quests, by keeping regularly updated fact lists in our documentation, which can be used by other designers later on. It takes a lot of self-discipline from designers to do it on regular basis, but in my opinion it’s necessary in order to avoid confusion and maintain control over ever growing variables list.
Story department

As a lead quest designer, it’s my job to provide the team with detailed diagrams, showing order of quests and connections between them, as well as explaining it to everyone and keeping track of its integrity. Another thing that is a key to containing that variable chaos is proper communication – quest designers are sitting in one room, so they can consult each other on different matters, such as variables or branches, at any point, as well as inform everyone about changes that may impact other people’s quests. We also do our best to keep communicating with the story department, so the writing of our dialogues is always up-to-date with quest changes.
Solving many, many bugs

Having all that in mind, one thing needs to be said – if you’re making such a complicated game as ours, with so many variables and connections between quests, you will find many logical bugs during production process. And by ‘many’ I mean tons of them. There’s no avoiding it – there is no person that can foresee every single logical issue before it is implemented in the game. But it’s crucial to focus on finding and solving these issues as soon as the game is in playable state.

 

[Jay Shadow]

Marcin's twitter implies there will be something for April Fools again this year.

If we're lucky, maybe we'll get another installment of The Bard.

 

[SaberEdge]

The absolute worst kind of video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uFiZAKD_GQ#t=182

Young Ciri can be seen and some snippets of gameplay, but most time is taken by admiring the freaking hardware

I don't know, I loved that video. Awesome PC hardware along with lots of glimpses of my most anticipated game...what more can I ask for? Thanks for sharing.

 

[viveks86]

Have you guys seen this before?

Also young Ciri?

 

[lordfuzzybutt]

Have you guys seen this before?

Also young Ciri?

Both yes.

But I never get tired of looking at them.

 

[Xando]

Have you guys seen this before?

Also young Ciri?

Man, i cannot wait for this.
Only 1 1/2 months left and i still haven't decided if i should get the PS4 or PC version.

 

[AntiFacebook]

Man, i cannot wait for this.
Only 1 1/2 months left and i still haven't decided if i should get the PS4 or PC version.

If your PC is strong enough,you should definitely play the PC version.
This is a kind of game that is best played with keyboard + mouse.

 

[Philippo]

If your PC is strong enough,you should definitely play the PC version.
This is a kind of game that is best played with keyboard + mouse.

Really? Feels more like the game's designed around a controller rather than k/m.

Spoiler

unless you're talking about the graphics

 

[Super Stardust]

If your PC is strong enough,you should definitely play the PC version.
This is a kind of game that is best played with keyboard + mouse.

Based on some impressions I read this game felt the best when played with a controller

 

[texhnolyze]

If your PC is strong enough,you should definitely play the PC version.
This is a kind of game that is best played with keyboard + mouse.

I'll play the game on PC with a controller.

 

[BatSu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0uFiZAKD_GQ

 

[thuGG_pl]

This is a kind of game that is best played with keyboard + mouse.

Reading some impressions gamepad is the way to go.

 

[erawsd]

I'll play the game on PC with a controller.

Yeah, same. I prefer a controller for "action combat" games.

 

[texhnolyze]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0uFiZAKD_GQ

Were those guys just testing the game?
They don't look like they're enjoying the game.

 

[AntiFacebook]

Were those guys just testing the game?
They don't look like they're enjoying the game.

That's obviously because they are forced to play it with a controller

Spoiler

QA's job is not to enjoy the games,I doubt you can enjoy when you have test every portion of the game and document every little finding

 

[BatSu]

Were those guys just testing the game?
They don't look like they're enjoying the game.

Yes. But it was an older version and if, enjoy. There is another video but is in Spanish and am unable to translate all

I can only say that it seems that demo is outstanding in all aspects

 

[erawsd]

Were those guys just testing the game?
They don't look like they're enjoying the game.

I think that's the spain preview event. What would you expect them to look like?

 

[BatSu]

Thanks Crivilnite by translation



Spanish review, translation of what i think is interesting/remarkable, video isn't new and isn't the actual gameplay reviewed:

He did play 4-5 hours (December build)
Played in PC in high, he says NVIDIA will launch specific drivers.
His only graphic concern was the lack of tesselation and kalorie drops, but he knows is an old build and hopes the latter will be fixed in final.
He was one shotted several times cause zając had 0 knowledge of the monsters (ghosts) he found exploring the forest instead following the path. After learning their weakness was able to avenge himself.
Found the signals balanced.
The horse always appears from our back, so it "appearing" isn't inmmersion breaking.
He likes witcher's senses cause the quest aren't linear and they are complex and interesting.
There will be 4 skill branches and you will have 3 active skills on every one.
Tactical and smart combat will make everything easier than direct approachs, even it been difficult per se, specially compared with Skyrim.

 

[texhnolyze]

That's obviously because they are forced to play it with a controller

Spoiler

QA's job is not to enjoy the games,I doubt you can enjoy when you have test every portion of the game and document every little finding

Yes. But it was an older version and if, enjoy. There is another video but is in Spanish and am unable to translate all

I can only say that it seems that demo is outstanding in all aspects

I think that's the spain preview event. What would you expect them to look like?

Yeah, that's pretty much what I guessed.
They've played through the game so many times while having to find bugs. I wouldn't enjoy it as well, tbh.

 

[Staf]

Never did play Witcher 1/2 due to playstation being my primary gaming device since 2008. Always wanted to play this series since it looks fun as hell and the general response to the series is very good. Any tip on how to catch up on the storyline from 1 and 2?

 

[texhnolyze]

Never did play Witcher 1/2 due to playstation being my primary gaming device since 2008. Always wanted to play this series since it looks fun as hell and the general response to the series is very good. Any tip on how to catch up on the storyline from 1 and 2?

Eh, I thought he Witcher 2 is also available on Playstation 3.
You can read the story recap on their website (at the bottom) or watch this video from Gamepressure.

 

[erawsd]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I guessed.
They've played through the game so many times while having to find bugs. I wouldn't enjoy it as well, tbh.

Those arent testers those are press people.

 

[Staf]

Eh, I thought he Witcher 2 is also available on Playstation 3.
You can read the story recap on their website (at the bottom) or watch this video from Gamepressure.

It never was released on PS3 unfortunately. Cheers for the links!

 

[Kvik]

It never was released on PS3 unfortunately. Cheers for the links!

For someone with a Baldur's Gate avatar, you should be playing this game on PC, my brother, PC!

 

[SaberEdge]

Man, i cannot wait for this.
Only 1 1/2 months left and i still haven't decided if i should get the PS4 or PC version.

Well, that's a personal decision, of course, but I, too, have a PC and a PS4 and I'm definitely going for the PC version.

My main reasons are:

1. Best graphics and performance for the game.
2. My saves from The Witcher 2 carry over and affect TW3 in some ways.
3. Mods. 'Nuff said.

 

[Staf]

For someone with a Baldur's Gate avatar, you should be playing this game on PC, my brother, PC!

I know i know. I shamefully abandoned PC back in the day when i went to the university, just simply couldn't afford it or had room for it. Now i've got a really well paying job i am buying a kickass PC. Primarily to play PoE, divinity etc since the RPG scene on the console is seriously lacking.

Edit: AND Baldur's gate of course

 

[lowhighkang_LHK]

I like that difficulty affects enemy skill, and not health. I'm definitely playing on Dark.

Indeed. It's annoying when developers make hard mode where enemies have a ton of health and you're just wailing at them for thirty minutes waiting for them to die.

that's stupid, not hard.

So, I take it msot of you guys are going to put this on hard considering you're witcher vets?

 

[texhnolyze]

Those arent testers those are press people.

I see.
They just don't look focused on the game.

Well, that's a personal decision, of course, but I, too, have a PC and a PS4 and I'm definitely going for the PC version.

My main reasons are:

1. Best graphics and performance for the game.
2. My saves from The Witcher 2 carry over and affect TW3 in some ways.
3. Mods. 'Nuff said.

Regarding that save import.
Will there be some kind of save editor or dragon age keep-like feature for consoles?

 

[erawsd]

I see.
They just don't look focused on the game.


Regarding that save import.
Will there be some kind of save editor or dragon age keep-like feature for consoles?

Yeah, its probably not easy to focus when you've got a camera in your face and the developers ogling over your shoulder.

PC version will have a save import. For everyone else, there a moment in the prologue where you can tell the game what choice you made.

 

[patapuf]

Regarding that save import.
Will there be some kind of save editor or dragon age keep-like feature for consoles?

I think the way they set it up is dandelion will sing a song and you will korrekt him with the choices of witcher 2 you want to pick.

 

[lordfuzzybutt]

Regarding that save import.
Will there be some kind of save editor or dragon age keep-like feature for consoles?

It will be in the form of dialogue, where you can choose what happened.

 

[texhnolyze]

Ah, okay.
It's the first time I hear that. Nice feature, but playing previous games by yourself will be better I think.

 

[Super Stardust]

Apparently this game is 200 hours long :0

http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/31/the-witcher-3-is-200-hours-long

 

[Staf]

Apparently this game is 200 hours long :0

http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/31/the-witcher-3-is-200-hours-long

Is it actually 200 hours long of meaningful or at least interesting content? Or is it 200 hours long like Dragon age padded with uninteresting fetch quests and minimap icon hunting?

 

[Dreathlock]

And there is still no legit PS4 footage? Kinda scary...

 

[Hammer24]

Is it actually 200 hours long of meaningful or at least interesting content? Or is it 200 hours long like Dragon age padded with uninteresting fetch quests and minimap icon hunting?

Yes, it is indeed. No fetch quest bullshit, just stories.

 

[Gen.Grievous]

Is it actually 200 hours long of meaningful or at least interesting content? Or is it 200 hours long like Dragon age padded with uninteresting fetch quests and minimap icon hunting?

200 hours probably includes exploring every dungeon, town and point of interest. If they are as frequent and boring as Skyrim's points of interest the number 200 is not very impressive but somehow I doubt it will be like that. Witcher games have always been more focussed around a number of interesting points with a real history to them. Not the random dungeon #234 the TES games seem to feature.

 

[Denton]

I think the way they set it up is dandelion will sing a song and you will korrekt him with the choices of witcher 2 you want to pick.

It's a dialogue with a barber, actually.

 

[erawsd]

Is it actually 200 hours long of meaningful or at least interesting content? Or is it 200 hours long like Dragon age padded with uninteresting fetch quests and minimap icon hunting?

That 200 hours is likely full of collectibles or multiple playthroughs to see "everything". The 50-100hours that they've quoted most frequently is likely more accurate.

 

[Kvik]

I know i know. I shamefully abandoned PC back in the day when i went to the university, just simply couldn't afford it or had room for it. Now i've got a really well paying job i am buying a kickass PC. Primarily to play PoE, divinity etc since the RPG scene on the console is seriously lacking.

Edit: AND Baldur's gate of course

Glad to hear! I'm balls deep into PoE now and you should definitely start playing it (or when the patch comes out) if you're a BG veteran.

On topic, I would love if the quests can be solved (or unsolved) in multiple ways, much like PoE. I especially love the way the conclusion was left ambiguous on some of the quests. Was I really helping people? Or just profiteering from human misery.

 

[lordfuzzybutt]

And there is still no legit PS4 footage? Kinda scary...

The press has seen and played it, the result was very good. Nothing to be scared about.

On topic, I would love if the quests can be solved (or unsolved) in multiple ways, much like PoE. I especially love the way the conclusion was left ambiguous on some of the quests. Was I really helping people? Or just profiteering from human misery.

That is exactly the kind of quests in TW series. Nothing is black and white, everything you do will have different consequences. You may spare a witch wrongly and get the whole village doomed and vice versa.

Believe.

 

[robertsan21]

I am so hyped up for this game, the only thing that is worrying is the graphics for PS4, do we have any info about the framerate and if its 1080p ?

 

[texhnolyze]

That 200 hours is likely full of collectibles or multiple playthroughs to see "everything". The 50-100hours that they've quoted most frequently is likely more accurate.

Those collectibles and see everything part will be the only things people pointed at when bashing the game though, I'm afraid. "This game has 100 hours of meaningless things to do!", even though they're just optional.