The Witcher 3 Dev: We Shouldn't Shy Away from Adult Themes in Games

I don't see how a backlash can be sparked over a single image that is shown outside of its context. People are just looking for reasons to get outraged by things these days.

Absolutely agree with their sentiments. I find the notion that developers or creators should censor their work for the benefit of a few highly discomforting. It fits in perfectly with the world they've portrayed. The world is becoming a little too reactionary

I think it's all about finding the right balance. At the end of the day it's their decision and if people don't like it, they don't have to buy it. There are definitely some themes I would prefer to not see and would derive zero pleasure from so I appreciate people being uncomfortable here. But censoring content is something I don't agree with. Always nice though when games have an in game option to turn off things such as gore so the player can decide for themselves.

Adult themes done with maturity, yes. Putting or saying offensive things in games you know will get a neative reaction, no. Thats the clear line for me.

I like that it was to the point and graceful rather than "yeah well if you don't like it don't buy it ffs" etc. I don't think anyone would genuinely be offended by the image, though? It's clearly art.

I agree with them 100%. I find it funny that people are often find more offence in fictitious works than they do about the horrible that things that happen in real life, usually atrocities put in motion by their own government. And what's funnier is sometimes the expectation that people believe something shouldn't exist purely because it offends their own personal sensibilities.

But in this particular case, move on - nothing to see here.

I agree and it is based on context. I haven't played Witcher 3 but from what friends have said, the adult themes are a part of the world and that they liked it was orientated towards them as gamers. Unpleasant gore for gores sake isn't doesn't bother me but is pointless but a game that puts that in an acceptable context is fine by me.

@Churchy Could not agree more.

That's nothing compared to Geralt slicing a man's torso in half. Those finishing moves are wonderfully gruesome.

They are absolutely right and shouldn't have to defend themselves over this in the first place.

If people don't want to buy the game because of something that offends them, then they should vote with their wallet. Glad some developers out there don't pander to those who don't play their games.

BAN THIS SICK FILTH !

Nintendo could learn a few things from listening to these guys.

Just keep doing what your doing CDP Red.

No developer or publisher should shy away from any "controversial" themes in their games. All forms of art can spark controversy, not just games, yet it seems like video games get the brunt of all the criticism. Another think that irks me is parents letting their young children play M rated games and then turning around and complain about how violent it is. PAY ATTENTION TO THE ESRB RATINGS!! It's just fuel for dumb politicians to continually attack the games industry.

"We shouldn't tell adults what they can and can't see"

Yup respect for CDPR, and xseed while I'm at it, also that image isn't all that bad or I'm desensitized I'll entertain both notions.

100% agree, hate all the censorship games seem to be getting more and more of lately.

CDPR how not to love?

The games rated 18. So as adults we have the freedom of choice to buy the game or not. But the poster will be seen by both adults and kids alike, and blatantly families don't get a choice to prevent this type of mass advertising from younger eyes. Don't we want young kids to enjoy their innocence and just be kids anymore? Or would you rather your 10 year old or relative say daddy I saw that: #!* poster for witcher it looks@ ##! awesome! Or even be scared by such imagery? Haha didn't Yoda say “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” lol

I have to agree with the last comment. It would be different if this were in-game material. It is promo material which means posters, banners, pop-ups on websites, commercials on YouTube, etc. As an adult, the Witcher became to dark graphic for me and I had to get rid of it. As a balanced view the art, design, writing, and RPG elements were fantastic. It just became too much over time. As an adult some of the images were disturbing and made it difficult to sleep at nights. I do not want an 6-9 year old child, who constantly wants to visit GameStop (in the US) pointing out the sliced up man on the poster in the store or calling me over to check out the image that just came up on the computer. Put it in the game if you want, CD Project Red, but advertise it to the public differently.

I'm gonna be honest. In an 18 rated game, go nuts. Do whatever the hell you want, within reason. Manhunt probably stands as a bit too much.

But also don't do what GTA does. The quite frankly overabundance of swearing in that series gets less impactful with each instance. If its used sparingly I feel like its got more oomph. Like in the MCU. With games I often feel like people describing things as "Sh**" or "That guy is a f***" just makes me kinda think the writers were trying almost TOO hard to be mature.

Maturity isn't chucking dark imagery, big and bad vocabulary and whatever else at a product and saying "Youre an adult, deal with it". I'm sure various people in various situations will respond with "Woah, bit much." Probably when graphic murder is involved. Maturity is taking these themes responsibly, in moderation and an appropriate manner. Doing it because its more edgy and mature isn't really being mature. Its being a teenager trying to be cool.

And I'm going to agree with @shosbu here. This is a promotional image. I think THATS the problem here. Not that the image exists, but that's its being plastered across the world wide web and outlets to promote.

We could try to censor those things and shy away from them, but it's an adult game and adults are playing and we shouldn't baby them by telling them what they can and can't see," Bury adds. Yes good sir, it is an adult game, and while I sure as hell will not agree with rape in video games or any entertainment medium for that matter, but note his wording. Adults are playing and we shouldn't baby them. So you shouldn't baby them when they are playing the game? That's fine. I'm pretty sure the issue here, again, lies with the adverts. You as a developer also have to make sure you can hit your target market in advertising, without also doing what this has done. Showing said adult content to people who shouldn't see it, without them even OWNING THE DAMN GAME!

And just to be devils advocate here about the dreaded big N comments. Yeah they removed petting. That's nice. But that's not an adult theme. That's not something the West would normally see, especially in games of that age rating. Here's what ya got to realise. This is going for 18+. Those aren't, and the criteria has to adjust accordingly.

The image is a cartoon of butchered meat, I don't understand why the species of the meat is relevant? Children shouldn't be raised in bubbles, what does it achieve? If one would like to play a 'balanced'? game, then go play something else. If one would like to censor reality in fiction and deprive free will and freedom of expression through art... well, GO PLOUGH YOURSELF.

@JesWood13 But game makers DO realise kids are playing their games. Thats were all the Microtransactions come from. Its why there was uproar when a porn company originally tried to sponsor a cod team.

On topic If that's a poster, I'm sorry - but who wants that up in their home / shop / face?

I agree that censorship should be discouraged when unnecessary - but I wouldn't want any of my kids seeing that in Game hung up by the preorders.

Should clarify that the image isn't "promotional" in the sense that it's going to be put up in stores and used in adverts. It's just being used to promote the DLC like any other screenshot would be.

Halt the ploughs. The Children will be safe then it appears. Now send them to bed with Shakespeare and for goodness sake don't let them watch the news!!!

When I first saw this article I thought it was going to be about how the Chinese Room called CDPR sexist for one of their images for their cyberpunk game that's in the works.

But yes, I couldn't agree with him more. People scream and whine about how games should be accepted as art and then turn around and try to dictate what kind of art is acceptable, especially when it comes to women and sex these days. Nintendo would do well to take a lesson from these guys.

@Bad-MuthaAdebisi your opinions are fine for yourself but when you are talking about how other people should be raising their children it is pretty obvious you do not have much experience with them. I spent the better part of an hour last night listening to a young teen share the trauma she is experiencing 6 months after the fact her father shot and killed himself on her back porch. The bullet holes from the ammo are still in the building and each time she heads to the backyard there is a grim reminder of her father's act that simultaneously took him from her family and ended a reign of physical abuse in her life. Is that real enough for you? So, when you suggest children should be exposed to disturbing image in games, movies and art to show them "real life" I see students I work with suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety and bi-polar disease. Most of it needlessly. I see a child pick up an rocket propelled grenade and point it at an adult in the military because they have seen violent acts that would put GTA and COD to shame. Just because horrible things are on YouTube and the news does not mean children have to be exposed to it. Same goes with video games, movies and books. Let them have their innocence as much as possible because there is enough in the world that will attempt to rob them of it soon enough.

@shosbu your stories have no relevance. Children should be ignorant? That makes no sense. We're talking about cartoon meat...

@thatguyEZ I quite enjoyed rapture but the studios White Knighting against CDPR is disgusting, they'll have no more money from me.

@Bad-MuthaAdebisi you said, "The image is a cartoon of butchered meat, I don't understand why the species of the meat is relevant? Children shouldn't be raised in bubbles, what does it achieve? If one would like to play a 'balanced'?" as well as, "...and for goodness sake don't let them watch the news!!!" (last quote in sarcasm.

On your first point, your "meat cartoon" is photo realistic so it is made to look as real as the game engine allows. It is by no means crayons and water color as you try to put it. Secondly, the relevance of my stories is attached to your callousness towards exposing young minds to disturbing images in the name of art and a cry of censorship. Kids do deserve protection from harm as much as possible which is the role of parents and adults. That protection is the "bubble" you refer to. Then again, someone who does not have the responsibility nor has experienced what happens to children who are subjected to violence and violent images only sees an image. You might be desensitized to violence already, animated or otherwise, but other children are not and that "bubble" they are in is their innocence.

@shosbu it is cartoon meat, it may apparently look lifelike to the odd imbecile but children are very perceptive. the images in relation to children are completely irrelevant as these are not images available to children with the minimal requirement of parental supervision and safeguarding.
Please do not suggest that my apparent callous nature somehow infers that I think it's a good idea to expose any person of any age to the realities of the human race through the absence of censorship. Censorship is the sole responsibility of legal guardians. When I suggest children shouldn't be raised in a bubble it is not a suggestion to subject children to the extreme opposite, that is your inference.
The only problem we have is crap parenting and the amateur fascism censorship brigade.

If you don't like it that's fine. It's just unreasonable to expect developers to have to alter their vision and ruin the experience for everyone else because you don't like it.

THAT'S the controversial image? I'm not a fan of gore or horror in general, but that image is incredibly tame.

@MadAussieBloke

With Nintendo being the most heavy handed video game publisher when it comes to censorship that's what I thought too.