ClickOnline has an interview with Lead Gameplay Designer Maciej Szczesnik about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The interview even has a few Cyberpunk 2077 questions.
Click: Considering the improvements brought via REDengine 3, how will NPCs react if Geralt gets a reputation for being overly brutal?
MS: We work towards creating an open, living world and we put a lot of emphasis on the consequences of player’s actions. That’s why in some quests players will be able to pick between taking a brutal course of action and a milder, more pacifist one. We’re exploring a variety of ways of providing players with choices in order to avoid repetitiveness.
When it comes to NPC reactions - we’re working on a reaction mechanic that will determine characters’ attitude towards Geralt. Thus starting a brawl in a village will not only antagonize the town guards, but also scare off the local inhabitants.
Click: Will Geralt have more opportunities to resolve conflicts via conversation? Are we likely to see any light platforming or puzzle sections in Wild Hunt?
MS: Yes, Geralt will be able to resolve some conflicts just by talking to people. However, it won’t be a generic mechanic, available at your disposal automatically. Instead, it’s a part of our meticulous quest design process. We want to tell a story first and foremost, and hard choices that evoke strong emotions and have concrete consequences are a vital part of that.
I wouldn’t expect any platforming or puzzle elements in The Witcher 3, though. Such features are not exactly in line with the general theme of our games, which revolves around a complex storyline and tough choices.
Click: Reportedly, Monster Hunting is much expanded in Wild Hunt – what role will potions, poisons, traps and preparation play in this system? Will it be a more strategic affair than its predecessors?
MS: We’ve revamped combat to make it feel more tactical. Players will need to plan for each encounter in advance, for instance by learning which fighting style will work best against a given foe. Potions and poison will be an integral part of these preparations as well. Monsters will in general be more challenging - we want to make each encounter memorable and difficulty has a role to play in that. Having to brew the proper potions builds on this.
Click: Are there any multiplayer plans for Wild Hunt? Assassins of Kings offered an arena mode, will this transform into a multiplayer option?
MS: Our focus is on making The Witcher 3 a breathtaking, unforgettable experience, a true storytelling gem among video games. Hard choices, morally gray characters - that’s what will make the next installment of Geralt’s story a truly great RPG. Any multiplayer features would only break the immersion we’ve worked so hard to achieve. That’s why The Witcher 3 will be a single-player experience only.
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