It’s an exciting day on the Continent! Video game developer CD Projekt Red, the studio behind the highly acclaimed series of Witcher games, has just announced that they will be dipping their toes into the realm of remakes. Today is the 15th anniversary of the original game, and to celebrate CD Projekt has announced that they will be remaking The Witcher 1 for modern audiences. This is in addition to the brand new Witcher game they already had in the works.
The Witcher Remake is one of multiple Witcher games that the company teased earlier this month. Previously referred to as “Canis Majoris,” we now know that this is in fact a total rebuild of the original game using the Unreal Engine 5 technology that CD Projekt is using for its other new Witcher games. The remake is currently “in the early stages of development” at game studio Fool’s Theory.
Though it might raise an eyebrow to hear that The Witcher Remake isn’t being made entirely in house, the team working on it will include a number of developers who previously worked on The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. CD Projekt Red will also have full creative oversight on the project.
The Witcher Remake will breathe new life into Geralt of Rivia’s first videogame adventure
High budget remakes of classic video games have become a trend of late, with studios like Capcom and Square Enix turning out enormous hits with Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy VII Remake respectively. Now, CD Projekt Red is getting in on the fun.
“The Witcher is where it all started for us, for CD PROJEKT RED. It was the first game we made, ever, and it was a big moment for us then. Going back to this place and remaking the game for the next generation of gamers to experience it feels just as big, if not bigger,” said CD Projekt Red Head of Studio Adam Badowski. “Collaborating with Fool’s Theory on the project is just as exciting, as some of the people there have been previously involved in The Witcher games. They know the source material well, they know how much gamers have been looking forward to seeing the remake happen, and they know how to make incredible and ambitious games. And although it will take some time before we’re ready to share more about and from the game, I know it’ll be worth the wait.”
Fool’s Theory CEO Jakub Rokosz also weighed in: “I am very happy that my professional paths have crossed again with fellow developers from the time of working together on The Witcher 2 and The Witcher 3. Especially when it’s a remake of a project that is so close to our hearts,” he said. “We are excited to join forces with CD PROJEKT RED, and our goal is to give players another great game from the iconic Witcher series.”
Will The Witcher Remake include the original game’s cross-title progression?
One large question I have after reading this announcement is whether The Witcher Remake will include the original game’s groundbreaking cross-title progression. The Witcher trilogy, along with Mass Effect and Dragon Age, is one of the first series to capitalize on the idea of carrying a player’s choices from one title to the next. Depending on your interactions during the first game, you might find yourself watching completely different in the second. It’s not yet clear whether the remake will have any of this functionality, but hopefully it’s something CD Projekt will address during the long wait for the game.
It may be some time before we’re able to dig into this new remake of The Witcher, but given the studio’s track record with the franchise, there’s little doubt it’ll be worth the wait.
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