Update, October 26: Today marks the Witcher series’ tenth birthday.
The Witcher, the first in CD Projekt Red’s epic trilogy, was released ten years ago, on October 2016, 2007. That makes today the tenth anniversary of the series.
The Witcher 3 is a very deserving member of our list of the best PC games.
10 years ago, on this exact day, October 26th, the first Witcher game premiered. Time sure flies in good company!https://t.co/vfpIIZy4w4
— The Witcher (@witchergame) October 26, 2017
CD Projekt Red have been gearing up for the tenth anniversary of the epic fantasy series for a while already. The anniversary video, which you can watch above, was first released back in September, and last week, the entire Witcher series was on a celebratory sale on Steam and GOG.
Original story, September 4:CD Projekt Red have released a video celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Witcher series. The short in-engine film, narrated by Geralt himself, features some of your favourite characters from the series attending Geralt’s birthday party.
It’s a bit of an early gathering as the original Witcher game wasn’t actually released until October 26, 2007, but it’s the thought that counts. The video opens with Ciri arriving at the Corvo Bianco vineyard in Toussaint, the setting for the second expansion for The Witcher 3. As she gets off her horse and makes her way inside, she’s greeted by characters from across the Witcher series.
Zoltan is playing Gwent with Dandelion, Triss and Yennefer are chatting by the door, and Eskel and Lambert are talking with Ves and Keira respectively. Priscilla is playing the lute in the background while some godlings scamper around. It’s a veritable who’s who of The Witcher 3.
Geralt’s narration, which seems to lament the time he’s spent away from Ciri, tells us that he’s doing well, happy after the events of the Witcher series. But then he turns to the camera to address the series’ players directly. “Thanks for everything,” he says, “and know, we all miss you, old friend.” No, you’re crying.
In the final group shot (which Roach somehowo manages to sneak into at the back) Geralt and Ciri raise their glasses to the player. It’s all very lovely. While we might never return to Geralt’s side, it’s quite touching that CD Projekt Red would go to this much effort for the series’ anniversary.
If you’re desperate to return to the Northern Realms, Gwent, the standalone version of The Witcher 3’s lauded card game, will probably be your best bet. More than just another card game, Gwent has a campaign that’s 15 hours long, which features as much dialogue as Hearts of Stone.