The Witcher 3 is DRM-free – “If someone wants to pirate the game, he will.”

CD Projekt RED has confirmed its open-world RPG will be DRM-free, the developer told Kotaku that the studio is trying to move away from DRM altogether.

[dedicatedtogamers]

I'll be buying this on Gog.com instead of Steam, since Steam adds its own DRM.

Fun fact: Gog.com is a partner company to CD Projekt.

[SavageKuma]

I just wonder what improvements they will make from the last game.

[NewMonday]

DRM never stopped the pirates anyway.

[Blackdeath_663]

@newmonday
it is well known that the DRM version of witcher 2 was pirated more than the non-DRM version. they won't waste their efforts anymore

[Rush]

Watch EA buy them and add online only DRM and a cash shop.

[krazykombatant]

I cant remember the specifics probably that the company is private so they cant be bought as long as the owners dont feel like it.

[Moncole]

You get a Steam key if you buy it on Gog and get a Gog key if you buy it on Steam.

[3-4-5]

You can play offline though.

You can use your account on any computer

It protects and helps you

How are you against STEAM ?

[dedicatedtogamers]

Steam is DRM no matter how you look at it, and 99% of the "helpful" features are features I never use. I simply choose to support CD Projekt on their own website, gog.com.

[DoomeDx]

Steam DRM?
You can launch steam in offline mode man

[dedicatedtogamers]

...which requires you to first go online and update your games and then choose "go offline". Plus, after about 10 days, Steam won't launch your games anymore, even if you've set the option to be in offline mode. Steam insists on checking for updates and until you go back online it won't let you play your games. Believe me. I've tested it.

[aliengmr]

@dedicatedtogamers

False.

So have I. I was without internet for 2 weeks and had not one issue. Only thing Steam did was ask if it try to connect again of go offline.

[jollygoodchap8]

Guess it's ok to disagree with facts on n4g.

[ApolloTheBoss]

My GOD. As if I needed another reason to absolutely love this dev.

[FantasyStar]

CDPR contracted Bandai-Namco to handle distribution of TW2 for retailers. The physical copies came with SecuROM. CDPR then released a patch which removed it and Bamco sued them over it.

[LapDance1974]

And one more, if they do DLC or an enhanced edition, it will be FREE!

[TopDudeMan]

I agree with their point. For all the DRM companies put on a game, there'll always be a way people get past it.

[grailly]

I think a tiny bit a DRM is not that bad, when there's no DRM at all I'm just way too encouraged to copy the file on a usb stick and give it to a friend, because it doesn't feel like piracy at all. I usually never pirate games, but when they're DRM free I kinda forget that sharing that way is a kind of piracy.

edit: still it's awesome that a company is brave enough to put out a AAA games without DRM, I really don't know of any other AAA game that has done this.

[FOXDIE]

That made no sense at all!

[sengoku]

these guys are heroes!!

[Hicken]

I agree with you, sengoku... has anyone ever told you you look an awful lot a guy named Spike?

[sengoku]

no man never hear of him.. ;)

[abc1233]

Finally, a step in the right direction, hope others follow their example.

[Typical-Guy]

I love their confidence in their game.... Day one On PS4 or New Xbox, count me in guys.

[FantasyStar]

If you really want to support the right people and the right cause: buy it for PC. That's their home-turf and they're able to do a lot more for you without Sony/Microsoft getting in the way.

Remember when Microsoft forced Valve to charge for its DLC?? It's just like that. Remember how Sony charges publishers per GB downloads? Not that Sony doesn't deserve its fair share but you'll be doing more good for gaming overall if you get it on PC.

[Breadcrab]

Keep in mind that not everyone will have a rig awesome enough to run it.

[iRocket]

All these Witcher articles have made me interested. I think I'm going to buy the first one from Steam soon...

[BiggCMan]

I read up on the story before I started Witcher 2. When I tried to play the first game, I could tell the story would be good, but the gameplay is just the weirdest thing I've ever seen. Before you buy it, either watch some gameplay on Youtube, or get a torrent just to see what it's like. I'm telling you the gameplay is just weird. Witcher 2 completely changed the gameplay.

[Th3 Chr0nic]

at first the game feels really awkward and cumbersome cause of the combat system. But once you unlock more defensice abilities the game comes to life and the combat is really fun and rewarding. just have to stick with it long enuff to start getting those abilities. once you do the real game begins

[papashango]

With the Witcher 1 they show their raw talent. It's unrefined but their talent shows. You can tell they delivered their best with what they had at hand.

Witcher 2 improves on this. They show how much they've learned. Still rough around the edges with the combat system but you can blatantly tell they are about to hit their prime.

Witcher 3 I'm hoping will show how far they've come. They are imo the best up and coming devs in the industry as far as talent goes and Witcher 3 I hope makes them a household name.

[Mariusmssj]

I must agree Witcher 1 gameplay is odd but if you can play for 6 hours you'll enjoy the rest. For me Witcher 1 has amazing atmosphere and story. Even if you don't like combat you owe it to yourself to finish it for the story!

[catch]

The first one is good but keep in mind the second has some pretty great improvements so even if you arent totally into it give both a try.

Edit: yeah, what they said.

[dc1]

Just know that the second Witcher is completely different from the first.

Glad to hear that you are diving in.

Have fun!

[Captain Qwark 9]

good. drm is annoying as hell. that said, hopefully people dont pirate it. the witcher 2 was a masterpiece, im certain this will be equal quality. support devs like this!

also between this and dark souls 2, the next gen systems are going to deliver two of the best gaming experiences possible close to launch. how awesome.

[catch]

I thought Dark Souls 2 wasn't confirmed for next gen?

[Captain Qwark 9]

i was under the impression it was. well even if its not, i still cant wait to play it lol

[catch]

Me too. Such brilliant games.

[Trago1337]

Still need to play the second one. But I like their philosophy on things. I just want to buy a game and that's it lol, no restrictive anti consumer bullcrap

[coolmast3r]

I can't think of a dev more honest than CD Project RED. Thank you guys for your approach, I've already bought all your games and I will do so with Witcher 3 :)

[Th3 Chr0nic]

They are smart, why waste money applying something that causes problems for paying customers and does nothing but slow down the crackers for a day or a week at the most if they are lucky

[MadLad]

Well, yeah, it's CD Projekt.
As it stands, they actually respect their fans and consumers.
Anyway, once the game comes out, buy on GoG. At least for the PC version. CD Projekt owns the service. No DRM and they will see the biggest returns there. If you are playing on console, try and buy it from their site if made available.

[KentBlake]

I'll buy it for the PS4...and the on GOG, when it's on sale. Gotta love CD Projekt/GOG.

[LAWSON72]

It is nice to see some people are actually smart and realize no matter how hard a game is to crack it will still be pirated so why ruin it for the fans. DRM is pointless and is a pain for everyone.

[Psychotica]

I really hope this sells well, they deserve to get paid for this effort. If it's really good people will want a sequel to it as well..

[Many-hat5]

Always been the same. If it's good most people prefer to buy, if it's bad many choose to pirate. Good or bad, some will always pirate, but those few wouldn't buy anyway. so, there's no loss of revenue to anyone if you know you are releasing a good game.

[LapDance1974]

Exactly, all DRM does is punish the paying customers.