Home > News > Behind the Scenes of The Witcher 3: How CDPR Overcame Open-World Narrative Challenges

Behind the Scenes of The Witcher 3: How CDPR Overcame Open-World Narrative Challenges

Author:Kristen Update:Feb 27,2025

In a recent interview, Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, former lead quest designer for The Witcher 3, discussed CD Projekt Red's initial concerns about merging a sprawling narrative with an open-world structure.

Behind the Scenes of The Witcher 3: CDPR's Open-World Narrative TriumphImage: steamcommunity.com

Tomaszkiewicz noted the bold ambition of their approach: "Few games have attempted what we did: integrating extensive storytelling, typically found in linear RPGs like The Witcher 2, into an open-world setting."

CD Projekt Red initially feared that the narrative's scale might conflict with the open-world design. However, they persevered, resulting in the critically acclaimed The Witcher 3. Now leading Rebel Wolves, Tomaszkiewicz is helming The Blood of Dawnwalker, a dark fantasy vampire RPG set in an alternate medieval Eastern Europe.

The Blood of Dawnwalker is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While a release date remains unannounced, a gameplay reveal is anticipated this summer.