“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” Available Today

One of the most anticipated games of the year, Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is here. And some of us have been anticipating it longer than others.

When I first saw the original version of The Witcher eight years ago, the game it was in Polish. We were showing it at an event and every time we restarted the demo level, I had no idea what was going on.

Developer CD Projekt Red was small, the Witcher franchise was fairly unheard of, and the books on which the game was based, by Andrzej Sapkowski were not well known.

CD Projekt has since turned The Witcher into a global franchise. And now with more than 400 employees, they’re still focused on visuals that defy the standards of the time.

Detailed and focused, they have taken their time, and worked with NVIDIA engineers, to create a graphics showcase. For several years, I’ve been working with CD Projekt to support promotional efforts around The Witcher 3, anxiously awaiting the day the world can play it.

That time is now.

For gamers like me, who play on PC with a GeForce GTX graphics card, you can enjoy the game with GameWorks features. NVIDIA HairWorks makes a tremendous difference in more than 3 dozen monsters and animals, such a bears, griffins, and werewolves.

Hair flows with movements or environmental effects like the wind. The game’s hero, Geralt, also has HairWorks technology in his hair, including his beard, for a more natural look. For example, when Geralt swims under water and then rises above the surface, his hair changes shape and consistency, absorbing the water as you would expect.

PhysX Clothing is integrated into clothing worn by Geralt and some of the monsters, as well as in flags, banners, drapes and boat sails.

And PhysX Destruction enhances the action. Fences and furniture to fall to pieces and barrels to explode as you fight your way through the game.

For some stunning examples of all these technologies, check out our Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Gameworks video.