I've debated on pre-ordering this for a long time. I'm eligible for the 20% discount. Due to several factors it just doesn't seem right, and I have decided to not pre-order. I will wait for reviews, let some time pass, let some patches get added, and eventually get this on sale later.

I'm skeptical because of the lack of PC reviews, the possibility for this being downgraded to console quality, and little knowledge of PC controls. I also am not pleased with the big publisher moves like the "expansion pass", the option to pre-order the expansion pass before the game is even released, and a "DRM free" box copy that doesn't actually work until additional files are downloaded. Some of the moves GOG has made with the store aren't helping either.

Too many factors make me feel like there is too much of a push to get as much money as possible before the game is released. I've seen this burn too many shoppers in the pass.

I did pre-order The Witcher 2 without hesitation, but have hesitated on this for months. I will wishlist this, and keep an eye on it. I have too many games in my backlog to drop $48 on something that doesn't feel absolutely right.

CDPR has been one of my favorite developers, I hope to see it stay that way.

I think it is always prudent to be cautious. You clearly have some reservations that are quite important to you. Waiting sounds like the best way forward from my understanding of your situation. Hopefully you will still be able to get a discount as you own the previous 2 titles. Hopefully there are no exclusives that are for pre orders only. I doubt it, it is not CDPR or GOG's way. Many others would though. GOG's ethos is always something I wish other companies had.

By the end of the week you will probably have your answer so it is not too much longer to wait. :) I hope your fears are allayed and you will enjoy the title :)

sorry but this is complete madness , i could see your point if there were not the screen i already posted, but now that the possible downgrade is over and we have evidence that the only thing is that the game is a little more demanding all your "reasons" fail............

well m8 the lack of pc reviews is because they gave no pc versions out before 19th of may. they said long ago in a video linked to nvidia we want ppl to me suprised and amazed how the game looks maxed out on pc and thus they didnt show all the cards before release. the game is DRM free but ok fine keep imagining its not i guess it was a better idea just to give it all out so pirates can play before release. expanssion pass is something that warner brothers does(batman just one example) and its normal for me to pay 22 euros for over 40 hours of content which is a clear bargin. but since u either dont care or dont understand the economics of the situation i guess there is no point to talk about it. i guess im just one of a few ppl who would have preorderd this even if it had 2012 graphics but i guess its just my fault for loving geralt and his adventures too much.

thing is the interwebs is full of PC reviews for this game. Just search youtubes. I watched both Jesse Cox and Angry Joe play this ON PC and that was enough for me.

That said i do agree wth him on the expansion pass, that WAS a stupid move on CDR part. Given their stance on DLC it would have made more sense for them to announce this AFTER the games launch. All announcing it now does is make them look hypocritical

I still pre-ordered it though, cause i'm a sucker for this game heheh

Thanks for mentioning this. I like Angry Joe's reviews.

I don't buy that excuse regarding surprising people. If CDPR has been paying attention over the years, it's fairly obvious that more harm is done by hiding things that buyers want to see before release than by showing things that might surprise buyers.

Sorry, but if the disk doesn't work out of the box, it's not DRM free. I know pirates make game publishing complicated, but the pirates will still be playing the game before me. CDPR has stated that they don't concern themselves with pirates, and that their focus is on the customer... the box copy shows me the opposite. The box copy alone would have not prevented me from pre-ordering, I was going to order from GOG anyway. It's just another point on the list.

I have no issue with a developer charging for a good amount of additional content, and I am willing to buy that additional content. My point was asking for pre-orders of the expansion before the main game is even released, before real reviews are out, and before people have played the game. Economics aren't the problem, it's the asking for additional money before anything has been released that didn't sit well with me.

I'm not boycotting the game, I'm just not pre-ordering it. I'll make a better informed decision later. If I lose the 20% discount because it was for pre-orders only, then I will just wait until there is a sale. I'm actually very certain I will be buying Witcher 3 at some point. The question is when and for how much.

I expect that I will. Whether it takes a week or a month, I will eventually get this.

I agree it may be a big ask for some to jump in and buy the expansion pass with things being "unseen". This is more a marketing thing really. There is no discount on the expansion pass I can see yet so if we buy that yet or not should not make too much difference. There will be bound to be a discount on it for people who have W1-3 and maybe even the boardgame. You know GOG, they always look after us. :) If it was a "only pre orders get this discount" well, then it would not be too nice because as you say "site unseen" :) but it's not GOG's way.

Sit tight....hold off for a bit. I am confident the discounts will remain, as I said, it is GOG's ethos to "do the right thing" :) Whether you get it now or later.........whatever works best for you as you are in the best position to decide that :) I certainly understand your view point.

dude digital rights managment was not done on the box copy they just did a reach around to protect the game from pirates. why is it such a hatefull thing to do ? they are not asking you to preorder the expansion they told u on gog that if u are not sure w8 for the reviews and then buy if u like. its writen on the game description. come on ffs

I really understand your concerns. However, there's a CDPR approved PC [KB&M, ultra settings] stream that started last night. I'll post a youtube link to his channel. He has around 8 hours of playtime there already uploaded, and he will continue stream today.

As far as I noticed, these are mostly spoiler free. I joined the stream last night about 2 hours before he stopped. He mostly just explored, and did side quests and encounters. It's not an official review by any stretch, but it should give you a hands-on experience from a gamer POV. He loved every second of it, and as far as I noticed, ran into no bugs or performance issues, and it was a Patch 1 included version I THINK.

Check it out. If it looks good, pre-order. If not, just don't ! :)
As of posting this, there's still 10 hours or so left, and 20% discount is kinda nice !

https://www.youtube.com/user/CohhCarnage/videos

EDIT: Regarding the downgrade: I have to say, if it happened, I'M GLAD IT DID. Letting console players enjoy the game as much as PC -> more profits for the company -> better bigger games in the future for everyone. Watching this stream, I'm not sure it even happened. I've NEVER seen something that amazing on PC. These graphics are a complete MIND FUCK. In a good way.

Thanks. I'll watch what I can at lunch.

No problem ! I hope it helps you decide ^^

Though do keep in mind, you'll see some spoilers from the beginning. Tutorial especially, intro, etc etc... All the stuff you'd run into at the start of the game. From what I saw, he mostly does sidequests / exploration, as I've said in my previous post, BUT, I haven't watched the full stream of course, just 2 hours or so, expect spoilers anyhow !

I also think this is a dick move from CDPR. How can it be DRM free if you can't use the disk if the CDPR website is down or in the future in case CDPR goes bankrupt and closes? Dick move CDPR!

Why do I and CDPR need to explain it again, and again, and again ?
THERE IS NO DRM. THIS IS A CONTROLLED RELEASE ON PC.
That is all. You download the day 1 patch that unlocks the game, and then you can smash your network card to bits, and still play the game.

EDIT: For clarification: you don't need to even be connected to play, or download the patch. Get it from a friend with a USB stick, and it will STILL work.

Learn to fucking appreciate the fact that they allow pre-load, instead of letting the whole fucking world download the whole game at the same time, or start shipping the game on release date, instead of before.