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Witcher 3 DRM-free

CD Projekt Red says if someone wants to pirate the game, they will.

542 Comments

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will not feature always-online digital rights management (DRM). Developer CD Projekt Red told Kotaku that the studio is trying to move away from DRM altogether.

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"We are trying to get rid of DRM," game designer Maciej Szczesnik said. "If someone wants to pirate a game, eventually he will."

"Which is bad, of course," managing director Adam Badowski added. "But you can't do anything about it, so. We want to give the best user experience possible. When we removed DRM, people on those torrents were actually asking people not to download our game, because we [weren't using DRM]."

The Witcher 3 not featuring any DRM is not much of a surprise. Last year, CD Projekt Red CEO Marcin Iwinski said "Every subsequent game, we will never use any DRM anymore. It's just overcomplicating things."

The Witcher 3 is Geralt's final story and reportedly has 100 hours of gameplay. The role-playing game is due to launch in 2014 for PlayStation 4, PC, and other "high-end" platforms. CD Projekt Red is considering adding a series-first multiplayer component to the game.

For more on The Witcher 3, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

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Avatar image for Hamza141
Hamza141

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Edited By Hamza141

We need more developers like this over the next few years.

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holtrocks

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Edited By holtrocks

Actually what the problem is ppl don't feel like paying $60 bucks for a single player only game that lasts 12 hours like assassins creed or something, what needs to happen is games need to be priced by their metacritic score 90's and up $60, 85 and up $50, u get the point. Plus this will make devs work harder and we will get less half assed game for a quick cash in *cough the walking dead *cough.

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Daemoroth

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@holtrocks I tend to agree that games need to be priced based on what they offer (Not based on review scores though), I still don't get how bad games expect to sell for exactly the same amount as brilliant games, though bad games tend to have "specials" very soon after launch, so it does kinda happen.

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MindwalkerX

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Edited By MindwalkerX

@holtrocks

What is this...i don't even...

I need some air...

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whiskeystrike

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@holtrocks hahahahaha good one

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holtrocks

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Edited By holtrocks

STOP MAKING ME FEEL GUILTY!!!!!!!

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BravoOneActual

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@holtrocks That's the beginning ;).

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toddx77

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Edited By toddx77

I was going to buy The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam since I have the first 2 Witcher games on Steam, but now I am buying them on GOG. CDPR deserves every penny from their games as they actually care about us PC gamers by not treating us as pirates and also care about gamers as a whole since they actually take their time while making games and don't pander to the lowest common denominator.

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naz99

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@toddx77 GOG needs to be number 1..if they could increase their userbase more the publishers would be more likely to put their games on there now that they have started selling newer games as well as classics.

All my games from GOG are kept on usb drives as they are just installer packages...no internet?? no problem and I can take my games anywhere I want when I want ,why would people not want to support this.

I now buy games from GOG if I have the choice rather than steam, as a company like this really needs to be supported.

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Devil_wings00

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@naz99 @toddx77 Ya GOG is awesome. I got the Witcher 1/2 for 23 bucks last year off there and after I found out more about CDPR I actually felt guilty for grabbing the game on sale since they deserve full price for this pro-consumer attitude. I'll be buying Cyberpunk 2077 (seriously hope that's as awesome as the trailer suggests it could be) and W3 day one, full price.

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Bheema

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I have purchased both The Witcher 1 & 2 because they are excellent games. I have always admired CDPR's commitment not to have any DRM.

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Mortalmaster123

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Although I do like downloading my games, this is one game I will and in the past have ALWAYS supported and paid for just to see more of then coming out! WITCHER 3, BRING IT!

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eva02langley

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Well, this is probably why I jumped on the CDPR bandwagon so strongly. Even EA president admitted it was a failure. If only everyone understood that a pirated copy doesn't mean -1 copy sold....

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Daemoroth

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@eva02langley I agree with everything except your last statement - which is a true statement (Not every pirate would have bought a copy), however it doesn't justify pirating a copy.

There is never a valid excuse for piracy.

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zerooo0

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@eva02langley And, you know something is a failure when EA admits it lol.

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Aydenuille

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@eva02langley Amen.

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experience_fade

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Edited By experience_fade

I wonder how much different the world would be if more companies approached big problems with a "Ah, who cares, we can't stop them anyway!" mentality.

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adamska156

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@experience_fade Exactly...and all they end up doing is wasting time and resources on DRM that, more often than not is cracked before the game is even released.

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blackace

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If they were smart they would release the game on the PS4 & XBox 720 first. This game is going to get pirated to death on the PC. Everyone is going to want it, especially since it will be the last one in the trilogy.

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danteswart

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Edited By danteswart

@blackace and then suddenly the piurates is gonna buy it on consoles because the pc pirate version will only come out later?

yeah right, anyone who would like to pirate will, the ones that want to buy will. whether on console or pc does not really matter.

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Cloud_imperium

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Edited By Cloud_imperium

@blackace Lol . Good Joke . They will even stop supporting consoles after 3 years when hardware will be even more outdated and their Red Engine 3 will be licensed . Read their annual report in Witcher Forums .

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naz99

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Edited By naz99

@blackace Yeah sure ...the Witcher 1 sold that badly on the pc that they could afford to make a new engine and the Witcher 2 ....then that sold so badly on the pc that they could then afford to make an xbox 360 version,start work on the witcher 3 and announce a Cyberpunk game. :- /

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experience_fade

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Edited By experience_fade

@blackace That's what Rockstar does. They won't even speak about the PC version (that's definitely coming) of GTA V. They'll release it on consoles, which will cause most pirates to lose their patience. Some pirates will buy it, then they'll release GTA V on PC a few months later.

3 • 
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chechak7

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"If someone wants to pirate a game, eventually he will." skidrow /reloaded ...happy

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cboye18

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@chechak7 no skullptura?

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tptimmy

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Edited By tptimmy

Downloading games on torrent sites can be a positive. College kids who cant afford games will torrent them and when they get that job they wanted, guess what they will more than likely support those developers they love!!! I know this from people I work with! :)

2 • 
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PeterDuck

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The only Multiplayer I wouldn't mind seeing is either or both PvP Arena and/or Co-Op Arena fights vs monsters and AI humans.


In the PvP arena you would be able to fight with your current character from the Campaign.

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kungfuj0

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Every time I hear (or read) something from this company, I like them more and more.

The thing I'd say to them after my experience with The Witcher 2: Keep your stories strong, but improve your gameplay. If you do that, you won't have to worry about pirates because people will LOVE to play your games.

4 • 
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laser00

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Edited By laser00

Now this is the way to do it, of course I will buy it don't worry :) even though I am fully capable in doing otherwise ;)

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darkscape

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Edited By darkscape

Make sure to get it from GOG.com to support these guys.

6 • 
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shadow131990

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@darkscape If you buy from GOG you'll get no drm(steam needs to be installed if you buy on steam) and since GOG is owned by the same company all the money goes to them and not a 3rd party distributor.

6 • 
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williebazerka

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@shadow131990 @darkscape GOG also gives away free games too.They gave me Fallout and Duke Nukem 3d and other games.

5 • 
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vannacut

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@williebazerka @shadow131990 @darkscape good info thanks...

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Jason_da_psycho

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Edited By Jason_da_psycho

CDPR can be well assured that I will never ever pirate their games. Hell, I may buy Witcher 3 and see if it's something I like. Free DLC's and expansions? Treating fanbase with genuine respect? Giving their teams plenty of time to develop games? Makes too much sense.

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Yulaw2000

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Thanks for being smart CD Projekt.

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Dante0611

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Awesome game, DRM free and without micro-transactions AND from a developer that loves games, where can i make my pre-order for this? they deserve the money.

12 • 
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KamuiFei

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This just reaffirms why every self-respecting gamer should support CDPR and never pirate any of their games.

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santinegrete

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Screw steam deals, I'll get this as retail.

6 • 
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santinegrete

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tru dat. But let me tell you, they'll never be fans or have the right to call themsleves that of any saga if they don't shell money for at least one title. Same applies to music.

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deactivated-6446beea14a1c

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I borrowed the witcher 1 from my friend and loved it, bought it next day and bought 2nd one too (new), this is a day one buy for me! Good work CD Project Red :)

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valium88

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So good to see a developer with sense. As stated in the article DRM is not a hard obsticle to overcome for pirates, in fact by pirating people get an easier installation than by actually purchasing the game legally, which is a paradox imo. I will certainly buy your game as always, CD Project Red.

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JBStone1981

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I'm going to buy this game for no other reason than their stance on DRM.

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marximo

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Edited By marximo

@JBStone1981 well, it will be pretty awesome too

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Errorcutive

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Well cd project red is one of the developer that i appreciate in gaming industry rigth now they have the quality to make a game as an art, as a something gamer will appreciate when playing, unlike ubisoft(well tom clancy still good for one) EA, And activision that ruin the game industry by only focusing on MAKING MONEY and not caring the game

I hope developer like 2k,kojima,bethesda,cd project red,and eidos keep making good game and rule the market as im starting to hate money searching game.

(DEATH TO FREE TO PLAY AND MICRO TRANSACTION)

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Hamza141

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Edited By Hamza141

@Errorcutive However, Free To Plays like DOTA 2 and Team Fortress 2 aren't bad.

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Thanatos2k

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Edited By Thanatos2k

See unlike EA and Maxis, when CDPR says "We didn't bring up adding DRM to our game once during the development process" they'll actually be telling the truth!

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deviant74

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Edited By deviant74

I think CD has me brainwashed. I wish they would start a kickstarter so I could give them my money now.

2 • 
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GreggD

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@deviant74 Just go buy some games on GOG, they'll get your money.

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Chr0noid

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CD PROJEKT: MARRY ME

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