Relevant to this thread. Also posted in Immersion Destroyer thread
I have been active in the forums discussing suggestions for implementation of a fleshed out post main story game play environment. The reason for this suggestion is because the current form of post completion game play has no sense of immersion. There are other lacking qualities that it conjures up, however I will summarize the most impacting one, which is immersion.
(Keep in mind, I am happy with the endings presented for Geralt's closure to his saga. This is not an expression of my refusal to accept that his story is over).
Immersion is one of the leading reasons The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has captivated me like no other RPG I've experienced. Regardless of some of it's lacking minor qualities, which are easily overlooked, I think this is a masterpiece of it's generation.
Now, my suggestions may come off to some like I am in denial that Geralt's story has come to closure and I just don't want to accept that. Let me try to curb that speculation with the following reasons by presenting a list of "positives" and "negatives" to the implementation of my suggestions and ideas of an altered post main story game play environment.
Keep in mind there are variations of ideas and suggestions from people on the forums for a post epilogue and a post main story (before the events of the epilogue) game play environment.
My suggestion is for a post main story (before the epilogue) game play environment.
I am not against there being a future expansion allowing us to role-play Geralt in a world reflecting all the events of our chosen epilogue's path.
However, I do understand the undertaking and realize the practicality is not viable unless the storyboard encroaches on a potential fourth game in the series from being released. The complications are obvious and perhaps CD Projekt RED just isn't ready to continue with the series just yet.
The "Negatives"
A plethora of comments have been brought up regarding the drawbacks to CD Projekt RED putting any development resources into an improved post game play environment. Here is some of those reasons. (Keep in mind these are the relevant ones to my suggestions). Also these all seem to suggest they need attention before anything else, which includes my suggestion.
There appears to be a commonality between all of these issues people present, and that is time and resources. The sooner that problems afflicting the game are addressed, the better. I don't think you'll find much argument with that.
However, these do not conflict with my suggestions. There is nothing but time for people to enjoy the game for the years to come if they so choose to. The quality of that time spent can be greatly increased, with minor alterations and additions at the very least. If this is an issue of time for CD Projekt RED, then putting it off until a later date is an option. There is always DLC and expansions. Basically, this should be on the consideration list.
The "Positives"
To dismiss the idea of altering the current implementation of post completion game play to a version of my suggestions, would have some great opportunity's lost for the series. I'll present some reasons why I feel this way.
This is just highlighting some of the key points to take into consideration so far.
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What I feel many people are missing is the idea that this keeps Geralt's saga alive for many people. Keeping the timeline relevant, at least a really good illusion of it being relevant. It offers an entirely different gaming experience overall.
It would seem many people want their 200+ invested hours to have a more lively "sandbox" to leisurely adventure and tie up loose ends in. DLC and future content additions also have a lot more appeal. Having to start a new game kills any return game play for a lot of people. This is a shame with the game play offered in The Witcher 3.
It seems for a lot of people, knowledge of the epilogue's events taking place one day in your playthrough's future is enough closure for a lot of people. However, currently being unable to interact with any characters post main story completion is utterly "defeating" after such an amazing story driven journey.
Summary
It is too easy to get hooked into the lore, bestiary, story arcs, characters, immersion, etc. with this game.
It should expand on the open world potential with a more substantial post game play environment. It should reflect a timeline appropriate to the entire length of game play. Paid DLC and future content would be a lot more successful.
I have been active in the forums discussing suggestions for implementation of a fleshed out post main story game play environment. The reason for this suggestion is because the current form of post completion game play has no sense of immersion. There are other lacking qualities that it conjures up, however I will summarize the most impacting one, which is immersion.
(Keep in mind, I am happy with the endings presented for Geralt's closure to his saga. This is not an expression of my refusal to accept that his story is over).
Immersion is one of the leading reasons The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has captivated me like no other RPG I've experienced. Regardless of some of it's lacking minor qualities, which are easily overlooked, I think this is a masterpiece of it's generation.
Now, my suggestions may come off to some like I am in denial that Geralt's story has come to closure and I just don't want to accept that. Let me try to curb that speculation with the following reasons by presenting a list of "positives" and "negatives" to the implementation of my suggestions and ideas of an altered post main story game play environment.
Keep in mind there are variations of ideas and suggestions from people on the forums for a post epilogue and a post main story (before the events of the epilogue) game play environment.
My suggestion is for a post main story (before the epilogue) game play environment.
I am not against there being a future expansion allowing us to role-play Geralt in a world reflecting all the events of our chosen epilogue's path.
However, I do understand the undertaking and realize the practicality is not viable unless the storyboard encroaches on a potential fourth game in the series from being released. The complications are obvious and perhaps CD Projekt RED just isn't ready to continue with the series just yet.
The "Negatives"
A plethora of comments have been brought up regarding the drawbacks to CD Projekt RED putting any development resources into an improved post game play environment. Here is some of those reasons. (Keep in mind these are the relevant ones to my suggestions). Also these all seem to suggest they need attention before anything else, which includes my suggestion.
- Lack of depth to story arcs
- Story driven and the concept of continued game play is irrelevant, focus on quality of current story line with improvements
- Romances and relationships with Geralt lacking depth/details, needs work
- Some quests and contracts lacking depth, needs work
- Bug elimination and fixes
- Inconsistencies with game play and skill balancing
- Future DLC development suffering in quality
There appears to be a commonality between all of these issues people present, and that is time and resources. The sooner that problems afflicting the game are addressed, the better. I don't think you'll find much argument with that.
However, these do not conflict with my suggestions. There is nothing but time for people to enjoy the game for the years to come if they so choose to. The quality of that time spent can be greatly increased, with minor alterations and additions at the very least. If this is an issue of time for CD Projekt RED, then putting it off until a later date is an option. There is always DLC and expansions. Basically, this should be on the consideration list.
The "Positives"
To dismiss the idea of altering the current implementation of post completion game play to a version of my suggestions, would have some great opportunity's lost for the series. I'll present some reasons why I feel this way.
- Improvements to replay-ability and open ended game play. These being taken to new heights. Superior to new game + option for many people
- Bolstering the effects of keeping the series alive for the years to come (similar to the success of other games like The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim through modding), this will garner new fans and attention for the series and any future projects long after it's launch
- Offer a timeline that reflects all of our actions. Quality of play increases through immersion. A 200+ hour play-through feeling purposeful
- It keeps within the vision of The Witcher 3 concluding Geralt's saga. Our last chance to role play Geralt within his legendary saga
- Fill the gap for people feeling "post game depression"
- DLC and future content additions have more appeal with an open ended and relevant timeline game world reflecting all of the players actions
This is just highlighting some of the key points to take into consideration so far.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What I feel many people are missing is the idea that this keeps Geralt's saga alive for many people. Keeping the timeline relevant, at least a really good illusion of it being relevant. It offers an entirely different gaming experience overall.
It would seem many people want their 200+ invested hours to have a more lively "sandbox" to leisurely adventure and tie up loose ends in. DLC and future content additions also have a lot more appeal. Having to start a new game kills any return game play for a lot of people. This is a shame with the game play offered in The Witcher 3.
It seems for a lot of people, knowledge of the epilogue's events taking place one day in your playthrough's future is enough closure for a lot of people. However, currently being unable to interact with any characters post main story completion is utterly "defeating" after such an amazing story driven journey.
Summary
It is too easy to get hooked into the lore, bestiary, story arcs, characters, immersion, etc. with this game.
It should expand on the open world potential with a more substantial post game play environment. It should reflect a timeline appropriate to the entire length of game play. Paid DLC and future content would be a lot more successful.
EE is the CDPR's trademark, practically. If EE will be so massive that it will add 20 hours of the meaningful and interesting gameplay after the Battle of Kaer Morhen, it makes sense to ask money for it too, to avoid working their devs for free for a long stretches of time.