The Witcher 3 Leaked
- Thread starter OraleeWey
- Start date
Audioboxer
Member
Steve Youngblood
Member
I may be wrong about this, but I'm pretty sure this isn't correct. My understanding is that the only code/key that comes with the retail version is a completely optional key to register on GOG in the event that you want a digital backup. But you're not required to do so.
Q: Do I need Internet access to install the retail PC version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt?
A: The initial, pre-premiere retail PC batch of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt needs to download a file from our servers to allow play. This file will either be downloaded automatically during installation process or you can choose to download it manually from a dedicated website. Since we have no DRM in the game, this is a security measure we needed to incorporate so the game doesnt leak during the production process. No worries, the file will not be big. Copies of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt produced after launch will not contain this security feature.
Q: Will there be any sort of serial number provided in the retail PC box?
A: The game does not require any serial code to install or play. However, each retail PC copy of Wild Hunt will contain an additional GOG.com game code for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. See below for details.
Q: What is the GOG.com game code found in the box used for?
A: The game code grants you access to a digital backup copy of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on GOG.com. You will also receive full software support, i.e. future updates, as well as all the additional content like the 16 Free DLCs, the FLAC & MP3 soundtrack, comics, wallpapers, art book, all voice over packs and more.
Q: Can I install and play the game without the GOG.com game code?
A: Yes you can install and play the game without the game code.
Q: Will I be able to install updates and the free DLCs without using the GOG.com game code?
A: We decided to offer software support, DLCs, and extra goodies only to gamers who confirm their purchase with the provided game code on GOG.com. This is the only way for us to differentiate between you, honest gamers who bought our game, and pirates who snatched it from the Internet.
Q: Do I need to become a GOG.com user to play the game I just bought?
A: You can install and play the game without becoming a GOG.com user.
http://forums.cdprojektred.com/thre...t-Retail-PC-Version-FAQ?p=1629577#post1629577
Yeah, they are there already. Fully readable, story ones included.
I mean if they will work. Right now Witcher 2 achievements seem not to work.
At least not for me.
Steve Youngblood
Member
Not that I'm invested either way as my copy is the digital GOG version anyway, but this strikes me as a bigger point about utilizing DRM than all the chatter about the small day one unlock download. The latter never really struck me as DRM in any meaningful sense of the term. However, updates? Unless that doesn't include bug fixes and what not (i.e. we're only counting NEW content as updates and bug fixing is a different category of patching), I don't really know if it's fair to say that the game is really DRM-free.
Ugh, I'm doubting my choice to pick this up physically down the line now, I'll probably just wait for a steam/gog sale
Pandora012
Member
Well my search for an early copy was a bust. The people at the store do not even know when they will get it.
Kenzodielocke
Banned
What option do I need to disable to get rid off the hit triangle to attack and so on ? Right corner, bottom.
"Control hints" I would imagine.
http://www.reddit.com/r/witcher/comments/35m20y/so_my_prick_of_a_brother_got_his_w3_ce_for_ps4/
I wonder why some stores are sending these out over week before release date? That is some major street date breakage happening in EU and possibly NA, not what I expected.
Kenzodielocke
Banned
Oh yes, I have overseen that one. Nice. But their HUD still isn't very good.
HORSE STAMINA is the fucking worst.
I don't truly believe that post.....look in the background, who keeps that many un-opened games unless they run a shop themselves. Something fishy in the background of that
edit: also is the size of the CE as tall as a 3 foot table? It looks more like a display box
edit 2: despite the smear theres like 10 logos on one side where console names would be displayed, that has to be a displaybox
Denton
Member
The game itself is DRM-Free.
For updates/DLCs you need to register on GOG, but GOG is not DRM. So...yes ?
Sticky&Sweet
Banned
Watched someone streaming it on my PS4 via Twitch last night, looks really nice.
Here is another early CE: http://www.reddit.com/r/witcher/com...rs_edition_of_the_witcher_3_wild_hunt/cr5flwz
And yes, CE box is enormous.
hm.....those boxes look way smaller than that PS4 one.....I understand big because of Skyrims box, but the box looks 3 feet tall in that PS4 shot, plus the for some odd reason its 2004 blur image makes it look insanely taller than it is
edit: yes, its just the flip phone camera shot.....lol
Steve Youngblood
Member
My read here after Tovarisc linked the FAQ is that updates are going to be distributed through the GOG service. I assume that after tying the code to my account, I'll have to be logged in to get the updates, right? I promise you that I'm not trying to be obtuse here, but how is that not DRM?
Again, I'll reiterate that I don't have an issue with this in practice. However, after previously resisting arguments that CDPR was being hypocritical in employing DRM as it related to the day one unlock patch, I sort of find myself questioning how updates distributed through GOG could possibly be classified as anything but DRM. I'm not saying that I don't understand why they're doing it. But as is, the only thing that can be classified as DRM free is the version 1.0 release.
GunslingerVit
Banned
Yeah, I wouldn't call it completely DRM-free either - at least the intial batch of the game. But if you wait for, let's say 6 month, you should get the patched release without the need to register for updates etc.
flaxknuckles
Member
Steve Youngblood
Member
Apparently you can still download the patches manually from the official Witcher site.
My current understanding is that only the 1.01 unlock patch can be done manually.
Denton
Member
Hmm...I suppose if one considers having to be logged into GOG account a DRM, then yeah those DLCs will be using this DRM. I suppose I don't consider it that, for me DRM is stuff like Denuovo/Securom etc.
I don't really see a big difference between downloading DLCs from GOG while logged in and downloading them from elsewhere. Internet is internet.
Q&A also states that patches to the game will be behind GOG registration. Basically 1.0 version without any DLC or patches is DRM free and everything else require DRM of sorts.
Steve Youngblood
Member
Because having to be logged in through GOG is a form of "Digital Rights Management." Part of the whole concern about DRM -- aside from the more egregious implementations like Securom -- is that it ties ownership to a specific account. Many people have embraced Steam (I know I have), but it's a form of DRM. I register something or buy something through Steam, and it's tied to my Steam account forever. Contrast that with purchasing a physical copy of a console game. I buy the Witcher 3 on PS4, and I can sell or lend it out when I'm done (just as a for instance).
Buying a physical PC copy does not have those same benefits though. Updates require registration through GOG. There's one code provided (for obvious reasons). So either I have to ride out version 1.01 and never update it, or me lending out/selling my physical copy means that the person buying it/being loaned it is going to be deprived any content updates because I've already registered the code. This isn't a DRM-free copy of the game.
I know there are a myriad of options for adjusting the HUD, but is there anything to adjust the opacity of the HUD rather than on/off and small/large? I don't see any and was curious.
lightchris
Member
Yeah, that's how I feel about it too.
I don't plan on selling the game (I never sell my games), but I think CDProjekt shouldn't have bragged about their DRM policy like that.
And the problem with this and why I don't like steam is if something happens to your account, you're out all those games (and it has happened to me but luckily I only had a free game). It's why I wouldn't pay for anything that cost a lot of money on something like Steam (or PSN for that matter or xbox's store).
If it requires you to have the DVD in the DVD drive, it's DRM (you know a long time back this wasn't always the case and people were balking when they started moving towards requiring the disc to be in the computer to play). What people get confused by is that DRM in itself isn't necessarily bad. How it is implemented is the problem. I don't mind DRM that doesn't get in the way of the valid consumer (it doesn't create a huge hassle to use the product and it won't do something like PSN/Steam/MS's store where they have control and could take away your access to the game. Just the fact they can do that is not good to me. I mean look at what is happening to P.T.... ).
GoG's solution isn't that bad. You download the patch once, and it's yours. They can't take it away. Long as you save it on your hard drive (or even better keep a backup somewhere else as well), you have it.
If all these stores did more like what GoG did, I'd trust the "digital future" a helluva lot more. As is, I'll stay with my physical games unless the game is dirt cheap or that is the only way I can get it (and even then I'm going to be more loathe to pay a full 60 bux for it) or it's from GoG with how they do games. And I will always pick the GoG version of a game over Steam if it's available).
Even then, there is something to be said about being able to resell the game. If it's available digital only (and even GoG's system isn't perfect for this), it has a lot less reason to get cheaper as it gets older (they don't have to compete with the used games market).
Denton
Member
These are good points. How are DLCs and patches going to be delivered on consoles ?
They are not tied to any accounts there ?
Um, what? If you buy the game digitally, you have to have your PSN/xbox live account.
If you buy it physically, well here is where the developers like consoles cause there is less piracy argument comes in. You just don't have the same level of piracy with game discs on consoles as with PC so I would bet they are less worried about it there long as you have the disc (which will be required to play the game).
Steve Youngblood
Member
Can't speak about Xbox One, but on PS4, playing a game at all creates an icon of that game on your home menu and basically sets it up for auto-updates. Like, I continued to receive patches for Shadow of Mordor even after taking the disc out and sending it back to GameFly. Mind you, you can't play the game at all without the disc, but otherwise the system assumes you own the game and continues to deliver content updates all the same regardless of whether you possess the disc or it's in the drive. This may be an overly simplistic explanation of what's going on because I've honestly not paid much attention to it, so apologies in advance for any info I've gotten wrong.
Edit: Tigress, you have a point about the "discs are the DRM" aspect. I sort of sometimes conflate DRM as a strict, technical term and DRM as being a generic term to describe something "bad" as it pertains to inconveniencing customers. To expound on that, I just mean that GOG uses "DRM-free" as a bullet point to promote their shop. Why would they need to if DRM didn't automatically evoke negative connotations? The fact that their games are DRM-free is used as a positive. While discs due actually serve as the DRM, I think that just gets ignored simply because it was the status-quo and was considered reasonable (and still is) for so long. Further, you can have one or the other often on consoles. Want the benefits of digital? Buy digital. Want the benefits of traditional, physical ownership? Buy the disc version.
I say this as someone who has completely embraced the digital future by the way. Even my console games are mostly digital purchases nowadays.
Denton
Member
Thanks for explanation. Console version is better in this regard then, that it can be resold and all updates/DLCs are available for every owner.
Steve Youngblood
Member
Mind you, again, I'm mostly all-in on digital. Even on Nintendo consoles with their atrocious account management I'm mostly digital. So I don't even care about the resale benefits of console disc games. But in terms of how I perceive the public reacts to the positives and negatives of DRM, my gut reaction here is that the "optional" GOG download code shipped in the box version of the product isn't really as optional as they make it out to be and is really utilizing GOG as a type of DRM.
Not that that's a terrible thing.
Denton
Member
Oh yeah I am the same, I haven't used my dvd drive in half a decade, if not more. Hence me not originally seeing this as a negative. But I suppose CDP did it this way intentionally specifically to entice people to not resell the game.
Black_Stride
do not tempt fate do not contrain Wonder Woman's thighs do not do not
What?
This is some trippy shit.
You would rather wait a year or more to play the game than download a small file, which you can backup to whatever medium you want?(That includes CDs)