Although it’s receiving less attention due to the high anticipation surrounding the fourth installment, the remake of The Witcher 1 is a project that’s sparking curiosity. In fact, since the original game was released in 2007, a major overhaul will be necessary.

Developed by Fool’s Theory using Unreal Engine 5, this modernized version of Geralt’s first epic adventure will also adopt a different structure. This could present some challenges for the developers…

According to Artur Ganszyniec, the lead narrative designer for The Witcher 1, an open-world aspect could disrupt the game’s narrative pacing.

« If we extended the environments, there would be more space, and more space means more content. The pace and scope of the entire project would be immediately altered.

In The Witcher 1, many elements worked because we knew exactly where the player was at all times. We could trigger an event, launch a cutscene, or place Alvin between the fields and the village. In an open world, we’d have to handle that completely differently. »

Ganszyniec gave an example to illustrate his point.

« When everything aligns on the map around Lake Vizima in Act 5, a simple question arises: if the world were open, would I have a boat? What’s stopping me from boarding a boat on the outskirts of Vizima and sailing directly to the old manor? As a player, I’d love that, but as a designer, it’s starting to give me gray hair. »

Thus, simply transposing The Witcher 1 into an open world won’t be enough to make it a satisfying experience. Fool’s Theory will therefore have a lot of work to do to rebuild entire sections of the game.