The lights are on
Our March cover story gives a world-exclusive peek into the next generation of RPGs with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This standalone sequel takes the fascinating stories and characters, non-linear plotlines, and difficult decisions that the franchise is known for and puts them all in an open world 30 times larger than the previous game – an enormous setting even larger than Skyrim's vast expanse, made possible with the new REDengine 3 technology that developer CD Projekt RED is debuting with the game. Our huge feature dives into everything The Witcher 3 has to offer, and it's a lot: the detective work that precedes deadly combat when monster hunting, storylines that weave and twist together between political intrigue and otherworldly menaces, and a tired hero who wants to set things right but can't put down his swords until his conscience allows – if it ever does.
Coming in 2014 on PC and "all high-end platforms available" (CD Projekt RED isn't saying flat-out that it's a next-gen game, but it's a safe bet that new console announcements in the coming months will define the term "high-end platform"), The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stretches from stormy islands to war-torn forests and a sprawling dark fantasy metropolis without a loading screen anywhere to be found.
Above: Check out our trailer for the month of Witcher 3 online coverage we have planned.
The March issue doesn't stop with The Witcher 3, though. Six pages of Matt Bertz's thoughts after playing several hours of BioShock Infinite give as spoiler-free of an account as possible. A deep look at how Disney is crossing the physical/digital divide across all of its properties in Disney Infinity follows. A little property called Star Wars is coming to Zen Studios' pinball empire, and we have the exclusive story on that as well. We've also got an in-depth feature digging into how video game writers work, with insights from Gary Whitta (The Book of Eli, The Walking Dead) and Corey May (Assassin's Creed series) among others. Finally, our previews run the gamut from Jon Blow's The Witness to Splinter Cell Blacklist and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, so you've got plenty to look forward to in 2013.
As always, you can click into the cover below for the high-resolution image featuring Geralt and someone CD Projekt RED has asked us to keep a secret for now.
Print subscribers should start seeing their March issues in the next two weeks. If you can't wait that long to get the full details on The Witcher 3 and the rest of the content (don't worry, we understand), you can subscribe to our digital issue – which can be accessed by subscribers via web browser, iPad, or Android devices around 2 p.m. Central Time. Check our Twitter feed to find out the moment the digital edition of our March book goes live, and don't forget to update your apps in the meantime.
If you aren't yet a digital subscriber, you can convert your print subscription here or start a new subscription here. You can also purchase individual issues or subscribe via the appropriate apps. If you prefer a physical copy of the magazine, contact backissues@gameinformer.com.
Click the banner below to go to our Witcher 3 hub, where you'll find additional exclusive content throughout the month.
Email the author Adam Biessener, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.
Well now I have a good reason to finish The Witcher 2 great game just got caught up in other games. But this looks absolutely stunning so far excited to see what kind of world they are going to create
No Half-Life 3?
BOO!!!
Yes, awesome....now if i would just get my issue in the mail this month ill be happy....its been a couple months since i renewed and the issues just stopped comming. :/
That sounds awesome!
Man, I hope this is on whatever console I decide to buy...
Thank you GIO just thank you. This made my day.
Finally these next-gen consoles are letting PC games use today's technology.
Well I guess it's time to finally install and start playing the first one which has been sitting idle in my Steam library since this summer.
I soooo wanted to love the Wither series. So much hype and excitement, a well written world and complexity in the story and gameplay. I remember picking up the first Witcher, knowing that it was a little niche, and after about 8-10 hours I just didn't go back. I found it horribly boring, more fetching than fighting and it just didn't grab me in. Yet the hype train kept moving, so I picked up 2, hearing that it was such a superior game in every way..... I think I sunk 4-5 hours in and just didn't feel the urge to go back to it. Sure it was beautiful, just not engaging to me at all.
I sit, still wanting to love the Witcher, it's a game that I'm supposed to like based on my interests. But, I suspect I'll never finish one or two, and therefore remain pessimistic that Witcher 3 or even Cyberpunk will simply be more of the same. Glad they have a following, not sure what I'm missing as I don't find the game fun at all, but appreciate that they break the mold a little bit and I hope other studios embrace niche like they have a little more going forward.
I'm no fan of the Witcher by any means, but that mag cover is awesome! Can't wait!
The gods have smiled upon us!
Yes. Yes! YES!
I'm having a nerdgasm right now.
*drool*
CDProjektRED is such a classy, talented group. Witcher 2 was well received overall and sold decently enough, but I was hoping it would be a blockbuster and at least get nominated for more awards (if not win them). Now it looks like Witcher 3 could really be that game that puts them on the map. Here's to hoping. They deserve it.
Benjamin. I see what you mean... Debbie`s article is surprising, yesterday I picked up a top of the range Lotus Elan from having earned $8358 this-last/5 weeks and-over, 10 grand this past munth. with-out a doubt this is the most-comfortable work I've had. I began this 6 months ago and practically straight away was earning minimum $76, per-hr. I use this great link, http://www.bit90.com
Nice. I really liked the Witcher except I really can't stand games that aren't open world. It feels to fake and claustrophobic. I can't wait.
I said an Open World Witcher 3 was in the works, but no one believed me.
YESSSSSS!!!!!!! ^_^
I was expecting this so much when you guys said that CD Projekt RED would have more surprises at February 5, and Im not disappoint, 2014 I can wait a year more, lets hope that the decisions you did in The Witcher 2 are transfer to this one :D
pure awesomeness!! :D