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og:image: The Witcher 3

While this will certainly be the nerdiest thing I have ever written about, I just can't forgive something that happened during the Microsoft E3 2013 press conferecne this year.  Follwing the debut trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a representative of CD Project Red happily announced that player will also be able to cast spells using the Kinect 2.0 via voice commands.  This is the news that has haunted my nerd dreams all week.

Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher. A Witcher, (of coooouuuse) being a trained and voluntarily mutated monster slayer for hire, does not cast spells with vocal incantations.  If you want to hear some zippidy doo da hocus pocus bullshit, go play a game about a mage.  Here is some footage of a lame ass mage on the field of battle.

As you probably know, a witcher always carries two swords.  One is made of silver for fighting monsters, and the other is made of steel for fighting metaphorical monsters in human form.  Despite having two swords, you will never see a witcher using both at the same time.  This is because a witcher always has one hand free FOR USING SIGNS!

That's right you motherfuckers, a witcher uses various hand signs to cast small spells. Hence the name, SIGNS. So when I interviewed (below) the game director of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, I just had to ask about the blasphemy of voiced spells. Konrad's sigh as I asked the question made it clear that we were on the same page about this.  And then he surprised me with an answer I haven't heard anywhere yet -- that they will attempt to use the finger recognition tech in Kinect 2.0 for SIGN CASTING!

Now, I'm not sure if I will have an Xbox One by the time The Witcher 3 hits in 2014 (or ever), but it's still nice hear that the developers of the game are still looking out for true fans of the lore. REJOICE!

Comments

  • Avatar
    pioshfd
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I haven't seen the Kinect 2.0 yet but I would be surprised if they put that much time and effort to make it recognize fingers.

  • theottomatic91 Avatar
    theottomatic91
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What a nerd but seriously its good to hear the developers are staying true the lore, my only question how responsive Kinect 2.0 will be with this mechanic since the original was shit.

  • crossoutlaw Avatar
    crossoutlaw
    11 years, 5 months ago

    brad u have a spelling mistake on the last sentence...u messed up on the word "out" u wrote "our".

    that aside i thought ur interview was great and wished u did more interviews with games u have a passion for. For example an interview on the new dragon age for example, its even nice to know that you even forgot to ask certain questions after the witcher 3 interview as you have mentioned in the podcast. This article is kinda funny because if I had to pick a "class" for brad it would be a mage/spellcaster...brad always love mages and to hear him diss on the mage class is funny.

  • Avatar
    Mete
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I'd expect nothind less from CDPR.
    Then again, I'll be playing this on PC.

  • Breakspeed Avatar
    Breakspeed
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How far along are you with the Witcher games Brad? I've been waiting around for a spoiler cast or some sort of throwback mentions to the games and decisions because I'm a big fan of the lore too. There are currently fan translations of the books that are not yet released and they weren't bad (if you can handle reading a book from a screen) they're available here:

    http://en.thewitcher.com/forum/index.php?/topic/20967-our-community-fan-translations/

  • TheUrbanHitman Avatar
    TheUrbanHitman
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A wild Brad article appears

  • FFRyan Avatar
    FFRyan
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Man... I'm only half way through the Witcher 1 and haven't even started the Witcher 2 yet and I've had it for half a year. Still have all these steam games I haven't played as well, augh 2manygames.

  • Big Wazu Avatar
    Big Wazu
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I find the Witcher lore very interesting and love the idea that you can actually use your fingers to cast signs. While I also don't have much interest in the Xbox One, it's great that people who will get it, can have that kind of experience. That was also a very good interview as well.

  • Absolute Travis T Avatar
    Absolute Travis T
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Individual finger recognition should've been in Kinect 1.0 but nevertheless it's a welcome enhancement if used interestingly in games such as the Witcher 3. Now we just need to wait until Suda51 implements giving the finger to aggro bosses.

  • Avatar
    TheGoddamBatman
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Wouldn't it be called the Kinect One?

  • Zladko Avatar
    Zladko
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Does this mean you can set your xbone to shut off by flipping the bird? Extremely appropriate.

  • Avatar
    Majkir
    11 years, 5 months ago

    BLASPHEMY! Indeed it would be. Not only are witchers incapable of casting spells, they are not suitable for their combat style. The spells in the Witcher universe are usually complex and in need of careful preparation, signs are small pieces of pseudo-magic that allow them to quickly do something other than swinging a sword. They aren't even used in the books that often and the effects are meager at best. Its good news that they are trying to go that far to respect the lore. CDPR are one of my favorite developers for these kind of small and simple things.

  • Mgs2master2 Avatar
    Mgs2master2
    11 years, 5 months ago

    For sure I will most def getting this game on PS4. Thanks for this interview and article.
    Those that are getting a Xbox one will be in a treat.

  • Slingnast Avatar
    Slingnast
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I haven't found a single thing anywhere else about kinect finger recognition for the signs, so 4PN exclusive?

  • Joseph™ Avatar
    Joseph™
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Great interview, I have to say that I'm very interested in this game. Trying to pick up a copy of The Witcher 2 for 360 right now.

  • Martin Avatar
    Martin
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Pretty excited for Witcher 3! Need to complete 1 and play 2 though haha. Thank god for Steam sales, I have them on my backlog.

    Also, the LARP video was fucking hilarious.

  • Avatar
    jon2435
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Looking forward to Witcher 3. Really looking forward to getting back with Sony. I've missed too many great games this gen.