GB Feature: The Witcher Q&A, Part One

To get an idea of how development on The Witcher is coming along, we fired a large batch of questions over to the CD Projekt development team and have released the first installment for your reading pleasure. Check it out:

GB: Tell us about the game’s cities, such as Vyzime and Maribor. Will such cities be filled with NPCs to converse with, including merchants to purchase and sell equipment? Will the character be able to enter some/most/all of the city’s buildings, perhaps even for thieving purposes?

CD Projekt: The cities in our game will be crowded and full of life, well. apart maybe from the Old Vyzime decimated by the plague ;). During our travels we’ll have a chance to meet lots of NPC’s, varying from common townsfolk, guardsmen, thugs, burglars to members of aristocratic families. The player will have an opportunity to interact with all of them, though not every inhabitant of the world will be willing to talk. Thus, from time to time, we’ll be. forced to use less verbal ways of communication :). Regarding the buildings, the player will be able to enter and visit most of them and take the things he’ll find, yet not without consequence. Once you’re caught red-handed, the townsfolk will be glad to tip off the guards. On various occasions the player will have to inquire about certain people or their whereabouts. The main factor restraining us from entering all the buildings is the storyline, therefore, some places will only be accessible at a certain point and time.

I think the crucial thing is that we’ve managed to create a flesh-and-bone, realistic world teeming with life. Knowing the habits of certain individuals in the game, we will be able to plan our actions. Why, for example, not break into somebody’s apartment while they’re having fun in the nearest tavern?