Summary
The Witcherhas transformed from a collection of relatively obscure novels into a beloved multimedia franchise. This evolution can largely be attributed to CD Projekt Red’sThe Witcher 3,which redefined the open-world RPG. Even thoughThe Witcher 3wrapped up the original trilogy of games, CDPR is far from finished with the world ofThe Witcher. Project Sirius is currently in development as a multiplayer spin-off to the franchise, and while this is one of only a handful of newWitchergames that will expand the series, developer The Molasses Flood should make sure to borrow from the features that madeThe Witcher 3a smash hit.
The Witcher 3’s DLC raised the barfor add-on content across the industry.Hearts of Stonedelivered fans with an 8-12 hour additional story arc. This expansion provided players with robust content and more of the game’s high quality story telling.Hearts of Stoneprovided excellent value, butBlood and Winewas even more generous. For $19.99, players were given a new map to explore, 15–20 hours of new story content, and a home on a vineyard. Geralt’s new vineyard estate is a gratifying win for a character who deserves a rest after years of turmoil, and it could also serve as inspiration for the new multiplayerWitchertitle.
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Geralt’s Vineyard Estate Gave Player’s A Home Base
By the time players have reachedBlood and Wine, they have spent dozens of hours following Geralt’s journey.The Witcher 3wraps up his story neatly, andBlood and Wineis something of a send-off for the character. While Geralt is still fighting, the stakes are lower, and the expansion feels like him riding off into the sunset. Geralt’s acquisition of Corvo Bianco finally gives him a home, and for the first time, it gives players a base within the game. With a number of upgrades andpaintings, shields, and trophiesto collect, Geralt’s estate was something that players could really get invested in.
The player housing inTheWitcher 3is limited and comes late in the experience, but it provides an important framework forProject Sirius. In the multiplayerWitchergame, players will need to feel invested in the world and their achievements in it, and player housing is the perfect way to do that. Players could have homes in different places that serve different functions. Furthermore, guest rooms could transform from a way to invite an NPC to visit to a method of actually housing one’s friends. Housing provides not only utility, but it encourages player expression and multiplayer interactions.
Housing Is Good For Player Expression
Player expression is important in multiplayer games, and housing would be a boon to this. Players could mount trophies from hunts on their walls. This would incentivize players to keep doing hunts and trying new content. Money could be used to expand and customize properties by adding more rooms, gardens, decorations, and more. The presence of different cosmetics would allow players to make their home unique, and would give players plenty to grind towards.Visiting friends' islands inAnimal Crossingis one of the series most fun features, and a customizable housing system inThe Witchermultiplayer spin-off could recreate this experience in its fantasy world.
WhileThe Witcher’s multiplayer spin-off is still years away, excitement around the series has not dwindled. There aremultipleWitchergames in development, and the promise of a multiplayer title for the franchise is an exciting one. A robust housing system based on the framework set by Geralt’s estate inTheWitcher 3could help to make the multiplayer entry stand out from the crowd. By expanding on the system introduced inBlood and Wine,The Witcher’s multiplayer spin-off could really make players feel at home in its world and give them something to keep coming back to.
