Witcher Franchise Speculation

[Sardukhar]

Simple as that.

It's really not. The world is as much the star as Geralt. In fact, since stories outside Geralt are perfectly possible, the world is more important to the story than one Witcher hero.

That is akin to saying Conan is the only thing that can happen in the Hyborian setting. Batman is the only interesting hero in Gotham.

Geralt is hardly a brilliant creation. He is a hardbitten, somewhat philosophical sword-swinging hero of a fantasy series. He gets the babes, he saves the village, he's taciturn and scarred. Sword-and-Sorcery 101. He can even use a bit of magic - but not too much.

Sapkowski wasn't trying to recreate the wheel.

The brilliant part is the setting. The rich lore, the very Polish medieval feeling, the adult edge. Racism, tainted magic, no-win scenarios. Nowadays that might seem all la-te-da, but years ago, very rare. Only series springs to mind like that was Kane, by Karl Edward Wagner.

If you find Ciri generic, or Triss or Zoltan, well. That's on you. But they are all products of this setting and world. It is that world which gives them all and Geralt their richness.

You are suggesting that if Sapkowski was to write a story in his world-setting that didn't feature Geralt, it would be somehow not good enough for you. That's too bad, since you're saying that the author cannot create more than one good protagonist, one interesting storyline. You are also suggesting that CDPR cannot create an interesting non-Witcher storyline. Kind of short-sighted, don't you think?

 

[Luxorek]

the world is more important to the story than one Witcher hero

True. Just don't call it "the Witcher" then.

That is akin to saying Conan is the only thing that can happen in the Hyborian setting. Batman is the only interesting hero in Gotham.

It's not, that's your interpretation of what I said. All the Conan books that R. Howard wrote centered around Conan, he was always the focal point. I imagine if he ever wanted to write a story not feauturing him, he would just call it a different name. Tolkien didn't call The Silmarillion, "Lord of the Rings: The Prequel".

And please, make me a game that has Batman it its name, where you don't play as Batman, but say... Commissioner Gordon ! Brilliant !

You are suggesting that if Sapkowski was to write a story in his world-setting that didn't feature Geralt, it would be somehow not good enough for you.

You like jumping to conclusions, don't you ? : )

Sapkowski DID write a story that didn't feature Geralt. It was one centered around his parents and I didn't mind it one bit, because it was not called "The Witcher: Mum&Pops", but "The Road of No Return". It was a short story not included in the Saga, because Sapkowski didn't feel the need to call it a Witcher story, when there are no Witchers involved. What's more he frequently jumped to POV of other characters in his novels and made Ciri the second protagonist... while still emphasizing that it's all about Geralt.

You are also suggesting that CDPR cannot create an interesting non-Witcher storyline. Kind of short-sighted, don't you think?

Naah, I'm not suggesting anything like that. It's just you. As a matter of fact, I would love them to create as many non-Witcher storylines as they can. Just don't call them "The Witcher" when there is no connection.

Now the reality is such, that the name Witcher has the brand recognition of the books and the well-received games. Would be foolish for them to abandon it, then again I don't see them making a Witcher game without Witchers.

 

[Sardukhar]

Not really a Witcher game if you're gonna play as dwarf. Or a sorceress. Or a knight.

I'm not jumping to conclusions, that's your quote.

As I keep trying to explain to you, the Witcher is a brand that defines a world, not merely one protagonist. Thus the Star Wars and Batman examples. Making games in the world of the Witcher means just that. Whether Witchers are involved or not.

 

[Luxorek]

I
As I keep trying to explain to you, the Witcher is a brand that defines a world, not merely one protagonist.

I strong heartly disagree : )

 

[GuyNwah]

Moderator: We have had to force other members to remove themselves from this thread for the same reason the moderators are now directing members to refrain from personal attacks of any kind.

Language such as "And please, make me a game that has Batman it its name, where you don't play as Batman, but say... Commissioner Gordon ! Brilliant ! ...
You like jumping to conclusions, don't you ?"

constitutes personal attacks of exactly the manner the moderators are directing all members to refrain from.

 

[Blothulfur]

One of Jacque DeAldesburg's creations, a flawed hideous thing searching for the Witcher's who you vainly think can cure you, a mutant freak among even them and hated by all and sundry.

A lonely, doom filled search that will eventually find you standing in the echoing empty ruins of Kaer Morhen.

 

[Ðarkstar]

Apart from the moderator's blinding red text...

The title doesn't matter as long as it's clear that its part of the same universe, like 'The Witcher: Introducing - Ciri' or something along those lines. It doesn't have to be blatantly obvious that it''s part of the witcher's universe, just needs a reference on the cover as to not elude the epic series it's spinning off from .

 

[cassandra31eee]

I don't think there gonna be a witcher game without Geralt. As for Ciri, i don't know many RPGs with a female character as protagonist. (And i don't like Ciri much, but that's unimportant). If there would be such a game, it 'll be under Geralt's shadow.

 

[ReptilePZ]

I don't think there gonna be a witcher game without Geralt. As for Ciri, i don't know many RPGs with a female character as protagonist. (And i don't like Ciri much, but that's unimportant). If there would be such a game, it 'll be under Geralt's shadow.

Why not? Geralt's great and all and I love him as a character but there are plenty other ways to explore the world. It doesn't even have to be an RPG. A grand strategy game would be perfect for the witcher's world.

And i don't like Ciri much

Have all my RED Points.

 

[cassandra31eee]

A strategy game is a good idea, i must agree, because it will change the way we see The Witcher universe. We wouldn't miss Geralt and his story.

 

[Kallelinski]

Despite the name of the franchise i would rather play not as another witcher, but as someone/thing else, a sorcerer would be a nice change. Geralt is THE Witcher, there is no second for me.

Ciri would be the obvious choice, but i don't really know in what direction such a game should go. Her story is kinda part of Geralt's and vice versa. If the Wild Hunt ends with the last game, so does the hunt for Ciri (at least from the elves). I mean the whole reason why the Wild Hunt is/was after Geralt/Yennefer was (probably) because of her.

Or just do a prequel like everybody does nowadays, the very first days of Geralt the Witcher.

 

[randyrhoads]

A strategy game is a good idea, i must agree, because it will change the way we see The Witcher universe. We wouldn't miss Geralt and his story.

A Total War type of strategy would be awesome imo. Shame CA forgot how to make quality games.

 

[tirim4]

The Witcher universe would make a terrific Crusader Kings mod. Just imagine all the backstabbing, incest and war mongering.

EDIT: And ofc here it is: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/WitcherKings

 

[RSIK_4]

all eyes on ciri...how this game will turnout...ri8 now i m waiting for TW3

 

[Argusvalgard]

A new game environment and different proposals.

With the arrival of the witcher 3, already announced the closure of the serie.
was thinking of a suggestion, a game in the same pattern but set in ancient greece or even the Vikings.

What about the idea?

 

[gregski]

@Argusvalgard

I merged your thread with the one already covering the future of the Witcher franchise.

 

[daddy300]

They are developing 2 smaller unannounced projects and Cyberpunk 2077 as you propobly know. I have a feeling they already have something planned after CP2077 is completed. Depending how game will be received we might see e.g; Cyberpunk 2099.

 

[GuyNwah]

With the arrival of the witcher 3, already announced the closure of the serie.
was thinking of a suggestion, a game in the same pattern but set in ancient greece or even the Vikings.

What about the idea?

They won't make a successful series by choosing just anything. CDPR has roots and a core market, and these are in Poland and neighboring lands. That's how they have been able to make the Witcher games successfully, and it's why they are taking on Cyberpunk, which is a longtime favorite of the developers.

Poland has a literary tradition called fantastyka socjologiczna ("sociological fantasy", close enough), in which fantasy settings are the background for topical exploration of modern society. CDPR would do well to draw from this tradition and its successors in the "social science fiction" genre, rather than cast about for a historical or fantasy world of merely general interest.

 

[Sardukhar]

CDPR would do well to draw from this tradition and its successors in the "social science fiction" genre, rather than cast about for a historical or fantasy world of merely general interest.

Unless it was the First Law series. Kane. Repairman Jack. or Frank Herbert's Dune.

Or, and I realise this is a terrible idea even as I type it and would not advocate it seriously, but a CDPR-done Warhammer Fantasy RolePlay game. I would be forced to move to Poland, hack their systems, spy on them for weeks and then start a business making all their favourite things JUST so they could have maximum satisfaction at all times.

No. I don't want them to do that. I think whatever else they do will be something great and not as...problematic as a GW property. I say it mostly because WFRP is my favourite fantasy setting and Cyberpunk is my favourite RPG, period.

Hmm. Talislanta is -quite- cool. Also Nobilis. Unknown Armies.

 

[Blothulfur]

Haven't really followed Warhammer Fantasy in a long while, had the original white box with the hammer weilding chap smashing a skelly back when it first came out, Ziggurat of Doom, Regiments of Renown and all that stuff. I have seen a few bits of art though and played Shadow of the Horned Rat and Dark Omen when they were released, and I liked the art design of the Empire, Landsknechts and all that.

Is it nuanced enough to make a game out of?