In an unexpected but nevertheless welcome turn of events, CD Projekt Red announced in 2022 that it would be remakingThe Witcher—the 2007 RPG that kicked off the iconic fantasy franchise’s gaming foray. The remake, which has beencodenamed Canis Majoris, is still shrouded in mystery, though many fans are anticipating an official reveal in the not-too-distant future.
The Witcheris a game that could greatly benefit from a remake; though it has many strengths and achieved something of a cult following around the time of its initial release, it hasn’t exactly aged well. The visuals are quite ugly, even for the time, and its moment-to-moment gameplay, especially combat, is awkward, shallow, and weightless. Although the subject of remakes and remasters is somewhat controversial in the gaming community, it’s likely that most would welcome a well-madeWitcherremake with open arms, as such a project would allow the first game’s story to be enjoyed by audiences accustomed to games likeThe Witcher 3. A well-made, lovingly recreated version of this first game, one that could bring it closer to the level of quality on display inThe Witcher 3, would thus be a boon for both gamers and CDPR’s bottom-line. And by following the example of another recent RPG re-release, it could make an even bigger splash.
The Witcher Remake May Benefit from Being Shadow-Dropped Like Oblivion Remastered
Oblivion Remastered’s Shadow-Drop Helped Word-of-Mouth Marketing
One of the most intriguing aspects of this April’sThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredis the fact that it was shadow-dropped—released without any official promotion or announcement. For a game as popular andculturally significant asOblivion, such nonchalance is virtually unheard of, and the initial shock of the remaster’s release meant that just about everyone in the gaming community was discussing it. After all, high-profile, widely touted remasters are a dime a dozen these days, so getting one without pomp or fanfare is considerably more interesting than the status quo; in the end, it’s possible thatOblivion Remastered’s air of secrecy resulted in even more fervent discussion within the online gaming sphere.
To be fair,Oblivion Remasteredwas widely considered a poorly-kept secret by those active in the gaming community. However, many of the more casual players—of which there are many withintheElder Scrollsfanbase—were not apprised of the remaster beforehand.
In light ofOblivion Remastered’s successwith a surprise launch, it’s possible that CD Projekt Red might want to try something similar with itsThe Witcherremake project. ApingOblivion’s shadow drop strategy could take the wind out ofThe Witcherremake’s sails, but it could also reduce audience fatigue with marketing and sidestep pre-release skepticism, which may work in CDPR’s favor.
After Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red Might Want To Leverage Quiet Confidence
Cyberpunk 2077marked a pivotal moment in modern gaming history, as many view it as the apex of the overpromising and underdelivering that AAA studios were becoming known for. CD Proejkt Red, whether intentionally or not, allowedCyberpunk 2077hypeto run amok, letting players herald it as a masterpiece before it even arrived. Of course, this made the game’s launch state even more heartbreaking.
While CDPR has almost certainly learned its lesson and hopefully won’t be repeating history, it could behoove the developer to invert itsCyberpunkapproach forThe Witcherremake: it should underpromise and overdeliver. There’s a solid chance that this game will be the company’s first major, new release since theCyberpunk 2077scandal, so framing its arrival as a pleasant surprise could be a wise PR move, especially since many will be skeptical about it ahead of time.
The Witcher
WHERE TO PLAY
The Witcher is a role-playing game set in a dark fantasy world where moral ambiguity reigns. Shattering the line between good and evil, the game emphasizes story and character development, while incorporating a tactically-deep, real-time combat system.Become The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, and get caught in a web of intrigue woven by forces vying for control of the world. Make difficult decisions and live with the consequences in a game that will immerse you in an extraordinary tale like no other.GERALT OF RIVIA: A ONE-OF-A-KIND PROTAGONIST: Take on the role of Geralt of Rivia: a charismatic swordmaster and professional monster slayer. Choose from over 250 special abilities, combat skills and magical powers to build a character best suited to your style of play.ORIGINAL FANTASY WORLD DRAWN FROM LITERATURE: Enter a harsh fantasy world inspired by the writings of renowned Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, where nothing is truly black or white, right or wrong.
