Summary
Modding has been an integral part of the PC gaming landscape essentially since its very conception, with some of the very first PC software and hardware coming from projects that would ultimately be classed as “mods.” Some of the most well-regarded games of the modern age owe their very existence to modding, with games likeTeam Fortress 2,DayZ,Counter-Strike, and evenDota 2all originating as mods for other games. Modding is just part and parcel of the modern PC scene. Even if a game is widely beloved and critically acclaimed, there’s always room for mods, and that’s true forThe Witcher 3.
Launched all the way back in 2015,The Witcher 3was the game that finally made CD Projekt Red a household name across the whole world. While CD Projekt Red’s translations and ports made it a well-known studio in Poland, andThe Witcher 1and2were fairly successful, it wasThe Witcher 3that finally gave the studio the praise it deserved, and in the process madeThe Witchera well-known franchise in North America. Since then,The Witcherhas only continued to grow more popular, thanks in no small part to the Netflix show, and fans are still pouring hours intoThe Witcher 3even all these years later.The Witcher 3has remained so popular, in fact, that CD Projekt Red is releasing an official mod editor for the game sometime next year.
The Witcher 3’s Mod Editor Explained
A few weeks ago, CD Projekt Red took to Twitter to announce that anofficial mod editor is coming toThe Witcher 3in 2024. The post stated that the mod editor will only be coming to PC players, though it will be completely free. The post also gave a very brief rundown of what players will be able to do with thisWitcher 3mod editor, stating that it will allow users to “create [their] own experiences in the game by making something new or editing existing quests and content.” Presumably, players will have a vast array ofWitcher 3assets at their disposal, all ready to be used freely and clearly thanks to this official mod editor and its accompanying tools.
What The Witcher 3’s Mod Editor Could Mean for the Game’s Future
Modding has become the lifeblood of some of the PC’s longest-running games, managing to push their lifespan far beyond original expectations.Skyrim, along with mostother Bethesda RPGs, is the perfect example of this.Skyrimoriginally launched in 2011, well over a decade ago, and while its base game content is admittedly very replayable, it’s the game’s modding community that’s kept it so relevant all these years later. From new quests to new NPC companions to completely new mechanics and features that essentially change the game entirely,Skyrim’s mods have become the main reason to play the game in 2023.
The same thing could easily be true forThe Witcher 3. First released back in 2015,The Witcher 3has been around for over eight years now, and many of those who have a passing interest in the franchise have given it a go during that time. And whilelong-timeWitcherfanshave continued to dive in and discover everything the game has to offer, there’s still a limit that can be reached. But with official mods, that limit might be removed, with fans being able to create their own quests and adventures.
What The Witcher 3’s Mod Editor Could Mean for Other CD Projekt Red Projects
CD Projekt Red currently has a lot of irons in the fire. Along with aCyberpunk 2077sequel,CD Projekt has severalWitchergames currently in development, from a fully-fledgedWitcher 3sequel to a multiplayer-focused spinoff. If this mod editor forThe Witcher 3turns out to be a big success for CD Projekt Red, then it’s not too far from the realm of possibility to assume that mod editors could be included in these future CD Projekt Red games as well, though likely not anytime soon after their initial release.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRETrained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLDBuilt for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
