Semantics.

Base game < Base game + expansions.

Since I'll most probably only play it once, I'll play the more complete version. Call it whole experience + extra if you want.

Depending on their approach with this it could be a separate adventure which has little to do with the main storyline that could be doable anywhere over 15 level or something.

Regardless, it's a bad timing on their part, they could announce expansions on May 30th and avoid the drama before the game's released.

Haha I know, I'm sorry.
Bad timing is a matter of opinion, I think some of these folks would of lost their cool either way.

It's just that the argument about what exactly the "whole" game is and the mental gymnastics about it tires me, so I'm quick to snap there. Specially after these news.

Regarding timing, I personally appreciate them telling me about it while I still can cancel the preorder. I do think it would have made more sense to announce expansions a while after the main game was out, but hey, this way I can get my money back.

Actually, I have absolutely nothing against expansions. On contrary, if they fit the old definition I warmly welcome them!
What bothers me is that expansions were released after the game, not as a pre-order in a pre-order.
That's especially bad when considering how hypocritical CDP seems now, after all those years of self-announced crusades against industry standards (pre-orders and season passes being shiny examples of the category).
If a season... no, expansion pass from CDP is not hypocritical, I wonder what else could fit the definition.
The presentation is the problem; any reasonable person could understand that The Witcher 3 can be nothing but a commercial success, so planning ahead for expansion is only logical... yet, doing it this way can only damage the company's reputation, imo.

Edit: Typos strike again!

Same answer as in the announcement thread.

I don't mind buying them if they have enough content to be a real expension.

Only thing I find strange is to sell expensions for a game that is not even released :D

At least we get a decent heads up, nothing worse then it coming out of the blue.

Actually this is my main concern. I just hope it won't be like this.. I'd hate it to have extra content added after I finish the game. For example I've never played the Dragon Age 2 - Mark of the Assassin, and also this is a reason why I finished ME3 after 4 years, putting it on hold for the DLCs

Saying that, if it's open world we might have the option to play after the campaign is finished. I hope so.

I don't think it is. Certainly some folks would lost it either way, however the company would still look better in consumers eyes especially since paid content would be released months after the main game. You can already see numerous comments about cancelling pre-orders popping up, some declare they don't want the game anymore, others are discouraged from paying and playing an 'incomplete' game, so they rather wait for complete package to come out.

Drama queens, I don't think the average gamer gives two shits to be honest.

I actually don't mind DLC or expansion packs or mission packs or whatever the cool kids are calling them nowadays. Sure, I find it a tad bit funny than some GOGers will defend this to the death while continuing to demonize other companies for releasing DLC/expansion packs (not saying that's you darthspudius), but at the end of the day you get what you pay for.

Don't like this move? Don't buy the Season Pass or the expansion packs or heck, even The Witcher 3 period. That's your best way to make a statement because I highly doubt CD Projekt Red is going to read the forums and go "wow, twenty people hate this, we better cancel it!".

Like this move? Buy your Season Pass or whatever expansion pack you want and have fun.

Whichever side you're on, don't pop a blood vessel over this.

I'm talking about a part of the demographic that's relevant to the topic at hand, people like us who read gaming press and are informed about what's going on in the industry, know release dates of games etc. and are actually talking about these DLCs. I guess few people are indifferent to this news, for the most part though CDPR lost sales and cred by revealing expansions before releasing the main game.

To 20 people maybe, I don't think it will be as bad as people make it out to be.