CD Projekt RED are a ray of light in a cynical industry

Tom from GamersFTW writes: "Let’s face it, the video game media often takes a cynical view of the industry that it revolves around. After all, critical stories often make good reading and stir up debate. The practice is not always just a transparent attempt to draw views, however; there is a lot to be critical of in our industry. But it would be remiss not to lavish praise on those who warrant it. CD Projekt RED are without doubt a studio that deserve such appreciation."

[Relientk77]

They truly are one of the best developers in the industry. The Witcher 3 is nothing short of a masterpiece and GOTY. I'd go as far to say Witcher 3 is the best game of this generation so far.

[Yukes]

I wouldn't disagree with you on any of those points. I just hope that other publishers try to adopt the same respectful approach to creating their games. The only way it'll happen is if the gaming community force their hands, though.

[Relientk77]

I completely agree. I hope other developers and publishers follow suit and in CD Projekt Red's footsteps and they make their games as finished, great, and with as much content as they can. It's what gamers deserve.

[Griever]

I completely agree as well. I am just amazed everytime I see my physical version of Witcher 3. Such awesome packaging and goodies. I didnt even wanted to open it when I bought it. Lol. On the other hand, you barely a game disc in a plastic casing with other developers and publishers. CDProject are one of the very few developers who still work with passion and dedication in their hearts and not with dollar signs in their eyes.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Many still do, many are just bandwagon riding CDPR.

Mind you...where are the articles regarding teams that STILL DO THIS?

Starting to sound like many who write junk like this don't really know what they are talking about.

[die_fiend]

@ EDMIX

'Starting to sound like many who write junk like this don't really know what they are talking about.' This rings true, with respect to your own words.

Who is jumping on the bandwagon exactly? Why do you think people are heaping praise on them without having played their games? That's lunacy.

I think they're getting praise for one reason - they're doing things right. Free DLC, no false promises, delivering on an excellent game and follow up DLC. There's just nothing to complain about here and you say people are jumping on the bandwagon? Perhaps you should go fill Bobby Kottick's coffers a little more and come back when you've found some sense.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@die- Simple....this.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

and

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

and

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

"I think they're getting praise for one reason - they're doing things right. Free DLC, no false promises, delivering on an excellent game and follow up DLC"

Nope.

"no false promises" your sure about that bud?

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

DICE is still giving free DLC for BF4
Rockstar still giving free DLC for GTAV

That is nothing new bud. Mind you....they actually still have paid expansions. All you have to do...go on XBL or PSN....filter out free and you'll find the other developers that give out free content.

They are not doing anything new bud.

"Perhaps you should go fill Bobby Kottick's coffers a little more and come back when you've found some sense"

I own the game bud....oh, you thought that I was saying this as someone that merely didn't like the game? I like the game, I don't like its bugs, I don't like the bandwagon jumpers suddenly making it seem as if no one ever gave free DLC when we have that happening right now.

Where are those articles?

I mean...is this same person writing one up for Rockstar that is still making GTAV content?

This same person writing an article about MS giving out free maps with Halo 5?

How about Ubisoft having all maps free for Rainbow Six?

http://store.steampowered.c...

free right? You sure?

Please bud, stop trying to suddenly make them sound like saints . I own the whole Witcher series and I don't do that.

[UnwanteDreamz]

@EDMIX

Couldn't agree more. I am a new fan of CDPR but it is ridiculous how many people pretend that they are the only devs giving away free content or support.

[abstractel]

I feel the developers behind Dying Light have done a great job as well. They are even giving out graphical updates for free even if you don't buy their expansion The Following. I loved that game, and feel the developers have been very honest and good to their users. Will definitely pick up The Following.

[Bansai]

Well said!

[frostypants]

They're a big studio that is charging money for content held out of the original game. They're no better or worse than most devs. Enough already. Being better than EA isn't saying much.

As for Witcher 3 being "a masterpiece", that's subjective opinion. I found it well polished but boring. I'm tired of people overlooking its shortcomings due to goodwill towards a "small" development shop that isn't small at all.

[nitus10]

You are quite right, in-fact all games are subjective to the player who plays or doesn't play them.

I do think over hyping a game does not help since some players are turned off and don't buy or play the game but are disappointed that it did not live up to the hype and their expectations even though overall many people enjoyed it.

I have not played The Witcher 3 or even Bloodborne yet since I don't have a PS4 for a variety of reasons and cost is not one of them, however when I do (very soon) both of those games are at the top of my to do list since I do like those type of games.

Keeping what I said in mind I am not that keen in playing Fallout 4 since I prefer the fantasy style games (eg. Oblivion, Skyrim and Final Fantasy) and not post apocalyptic games.

Go figure! but I will not run down anyone who enjoys the Fallout series since players have their own tastes in games.

[olliec9493]

only it's likely that they're not. These expansions (hearts of stone and blood and wine) have been released long after the initial games launch and so surely its rational to assume that a lot of their development has taken place post launch.

[classic19]

Witcher 3 is definitely the best game I've played this gen. Hands down.

[Tehcnala]

Everybody is arguing and I'm just sitting here enjoying the shit outta this game and the beautiful world and love that shows every time I load it up. Still have most of the sticker all tattered and worn on the back of my phone. Really was a joy opening this bad boy up

[watchem]

Let's not forget Techland who is going to upgrade Dying light to the Enhanced Edition for free to people who already own it. It seems like the Polish developers are the one in the front line when it comes to show respect to costumers :)

[zcmilano]

CD Projekt RED are like the golden kids of the industry right now. They just keep delivering the sort of PR all gamers want to hear. In an industry full of exclusive content and paid DLC they are breaking the mould and setting new bench marks. Let's hope it's an industry trend that others will follow..

[frostypants]

But they ARE pushing paid DLC, even while they push this PR about how generous they are.

But you are right, their PR is very well planned. Not sure this means what you intend it to mean, though. Their astroturfing efforts are phenomenal.

[ScaReCrow90]

Hey buddy. They're expansions. Expansions were a way for developers to create another story within their game. Or expanding upon what they already make.
Expansions were equal almost to the original game.
So far cdpr are the only developer who is doing that. Dlc like what other companies make they already have out for free. And no microtransactiins.

[zcmilano]

No I mean what I said. What you are referring to are the paid 10 and 20 hour expansions. Nothing to do with the free DLC pieces to which I was comparing games like Assassins Creed and Battlefront _b

[showtimefolks]

The way they got feedback from the community and how they released patches quickly imo they have set the standard

Look at avalanche studios. They released mad max and it needs patches yet nothing. Their last patch made the game even worst

Than you have Bethesda who o really really hope are quick to fix issues in fallout 4. I am hopeful since they release patch 1.02 in less than a month. Bethesda have never been quick about fixing their games

Cd project red, R*, ND

Kojima use to be up there but after mga 5 he 2 now part of the tier 2 of developers

Kojima
Valve
Bio ware
Bungie

[Perjoss]

Blaming Konami for MGS5 problems would be a much smarter thing to do rather than blaming Kojima Productions. That's also the problem with Bioware and Bungie, they have to do what EA and Activision tell them to.

[IIFloodyII]

Both are to blame, Kojima for going way over budget and constantly pushing it back and Konami for pulling the plug before letting them finish (or just not letting them finish the story) and for just being complete arseholes about everything Kojima.

KojiPro are dead now anyway so they are THQ tier.

[showtimefolks]

let's see was kojima given 5 plus years and 80 plus million or not by konami? did konami not let him build his own engine?

it's very easy to blame konami right now but we have to look at both sides. kojima should have known and made a game which had a clear vision but instead we have an incomplete MGS 5 experience

also bioware knew very well when they sold their studio to EA

Bungie became independence and could have signed with any publisher but they chose to sign with activision

[chrisx]

God bless these guys

[_-EDMIX-_]

"It is clear that CD Projekt RED’s approach is simple one. They create fantastic games that they’d love to play themselves"

A bit too bias and way too subjective as many can say this about many, many teams.

"They do not view the consumer as a gullible inferior and try to pull the wool over their eyes by releasing a half-finished, bug-ridden game"

?? How does this person know how they view or think about anyone? When have then read their minds?

They don't release bug ridden games? I own all 3 Witcher games.....all 3 have bugs, Witcher 3 day 1....had bugs, it STILL HAS BUGS! As to why its getting patched a TON!

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Soooooooooooo I have no clue what this person is talking about.

Another bandwagoner I see.

Mind you, this happened to me.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Along with many on those videos. I played a week ago.....still got issues, with dialog not coming up, faces disappearing etc.

But OH, I bet I should wait for a patch right?

I get games have bugs...it happens, but please...dear god stop going around making it seem as if CDPR know no wrong and shipped this perfect game....its far, far from that.

Yet.....this person feels this game isn't "bug-ridden" lol

Look, I like the game too, I'm merely not in love with it to not noticed its flaws as many fanboys on here seemly love to never bring up. The reality is...AC Unity had bugs, many of those now infamous missing face bugs were all over the web....Witcher 3 had the SAME DAMN issue and even after patches, I still ran across it. It was wrong for Ubisoft to launch AC Unity that way....its WRONG for CDPR to launch Witcher 3 the way they did. I started a 40 hour game OVER again due to their stupid bugs, like...corrupt SAVES bugs. Still played it again to get to that same part. I won't just some how pretend CDPR made this great games JUST because I'm a fan of the series....the game had and still currently has issues. The team needs clearly more experience.

"however, that the fruits of their passionate abilities are often obscured, or at least tainted, by dubious bureaucratic decisions. Microtransactions, season passes of unknown DLC, buggy or broken games on release"

Witcher 3 had broke QUEST on release, BUGS on release...STILL HAS BUGS RIGHT NOW.

Has season passe, has paid DLC. Please...sit down bud For a MATTER OF FACT THEY HAVE THOSE!

[uth11]

Agreed, the double standards are strong with cdpr fans. In my view CDPR is good at PR, that's the reason they get away with the same "sins" that Ubisoft gets crucified for. Visually Witcher 3 was downgraded from the reveal far more than watch dogs ever was, on release it was far buggier than AC Unity.

I just don't see developers as good vs evil. They are all trying to deliver a product that will sell so they can keep the lights on, employees paid, a return for the investors, etc. But bigger publishers need more money to stay afloat than an essentially indie team like CDPR.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed. They are a good team, but even as a fan, I can't just suddenly give this double standard, if AC Unity's launch isn't ok...neither is Witcher 3's.

They both legit suffered from the same issues, though I didn't play AC Unity, the bugs in that game are some of the same in Witcher 3 at launch and even some still in the game.

I still like the team, but I can't just ignore facts regarding the game.

[Grap]

i lost it when you compare witcher 3 with AC Unity, wow.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Grap- you mean facts?

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Because this is normal right bro?

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

yes...because it never happened in this game

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

So not the same thing? How can I compare some missing faces to other missing faces?

huh? LMFAO! Have you legit ever looked up either game to see their issues? I first hand had that happen to me in Witcher 3, never played Unity.

The reality is.....100% fact they are in BOTH games, BOTH had bugs ,Witcher 3 actually STILL has bugs.

I mean...did you even read or review those links or just assume like the rest of the sheep that Witcher 3 has no bugs?

Yet....those videos exist.

[Grap]

because unity was unplayable you imbecile.

[i8urCAKE]

Like it or not , witcher 3 is the best triple A game this year . A true complete game for current gen and sure the graphics were downgraded on console but they were still amazing....

[ApolloTheBoss]

One of the best.

[TomRL]

I'm glad they have such a reception here, they are very talented and treat their audience with respect. They're the mother-company to GOG.com, a website dedicated to collecting classic games and selling them DRM-free.

[sullynathan]

CDPR gets far too much credit from the N4G crowd and some of these publications,.

Hell from the article mentioned, CDPR's Witcher 3 had some of the problems mentioned like buggy or broken game at release, season passes of unknown dlc, day 1 patches, and so on.

I mean I understand, gamers like companies that pander to them and sweet talk them. It really really works when you say things like "ah 16 free dlc, here's a free weapon and free skin" even though we can clearly tell those were cut out of the game and given back to the player but it was effective nonetheless.

Don't forget about the PR nightmare and their lies about downgrading The Witcher 3.

Also, what's with these sites and gamers that claim CDPR creates "amazing games" and only cite Witcher 3? How many of them even played WItcher 1? You can clearly see the bandwagoning going on when most of these people don't even know or haven't played the first game in a series and yet sing praises for said series.

[ZaWarudo]

lol c'mon, man. CDPR isn't the second coming of Jesus, or did people forget that The Witcher 3 was graphically downgraded and filled with bugs at launch?

[Gatsu]

CDPR is one of the best currently, but there are others too.

[22CobraKing]

The problem is games being rushed out. Their is some developers that do take their time, but others are plain rushed. An example of this is far cry primal. It looks nice and all but their is some things that haven't really changed the combat and outpost don't seem that interesting. Maybe battlefront could've had more content but rushed it so that it would launch almost when the movie comes out(great strategy) but could have had more if it launched later.

[Roccetarius]

I used to think CDPR was a light in the industry, but after what happened from Witcher 3 reveal to release, you could see their true intentions. Maybe in a few years, the eyes of other fans will be open by then.

It's a good thing they're patching the game, but some of those patches shouldn't even have been necessary for the game.

oh, and the Expansion story is better than the main story, which is quite a shame.

[bOObies]

I feel like The Witcher 3 will be remembered as this generation's Oblivion. The first almost universally accepted great game we got.

[sullynathan]

Oblivion was terrible and wasn't universally accepted. Worst TES game.

[Realms]

Agreed support CD Project Red because they are awesome Cyberpunk 2077 is a game I'am looking forward to.

[DivineAssault]

Keep it up CD red.. Great new engines & power to run them

[Antifan]

I hope CD publish their own games soon.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

-coughs- From Software

[brando008]

CD Projekt RED are definitely a bastion of hope when I think of developers and the direction of the industry when it comes down to large production titles