What if Geralt of Rivia, the iconic Witcher, crossed paths with Night City, the sprawling, neon-lit metropolis of Cyberpunk 2077? Believe it or not, this intriguing crossover was once considered during the development of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. A group of dedicated modders, working on a large-scale mod named Brothers in Arms, unearthed fascinating details about this abandoned concept, showcasing what could have been one of the most ambitious gaming Easter eggs ever.
The Discovery of Lost Content
Modders involved in the Brothers in Arms project recently shared their findings in a comprehensive 584-page report titled What Lies Unseen. This document delves into early versions of The Witcher 3, revealing cut content, abandoned ideas, and ambitious plans that were scaled back during development.
One of the standout discoveries? A mission where Geralt and Avallac’h teleport to Night City—a potential nod to Cyberpunk 2077, then still a work in progress.
The Vision for a Larger Witcher Universe
The early concept of The Witcher 3 was vastly more extensive than the final product, with a proposed playtime of 150 hours—three times the length of the completed game. Here’s a glimpse of what was envisioned:
- A subtitle, A Time of Sword and Axe, instead of The Wild Hunt.
- A targeting system for monster weak points, reminiscent of Fallout’s VATS.
- Complex interconnections between missions and characters across multiple acts.
- A significant choice involving Yennefer or Triss, with one being absent in the endgame.
- The return of Iorveth from The Witcher 2, playing a key role in the main story.
- Alternate developments for the Bloody Baron storyline, leading to darker, more ambiguous endings.
Geralt in Night City: A Teaser That Never Was
The most surprising revelation involves a mission draft titled Through Time and Space. In this early version, Geralt and Avallac’h teleport through various realities, including Night City. This visit was intended as a teaser for Cyberpunk 2077, blending medieval fantasy with cyberpunk dystopia in an unprecedented way.
Here’s a snippet of the dialogue from this scrapped mission:
- Geralt: “What… What is this place? Is this the afterlife?”
- Avallac’h: “No. Just another reality the Spiral leads us through… Technologically advanced, but broken. Dying.”
- Geralt: “Disgusting. The stench, the noise… How can anyone live here?!”
- Avallac’h: “You should know better. This world is inhabited by humans, not elves.”
The mission draft also described how the pair’s initial portal was located in a Redanian garrison rather than Novigrad. Their first excursions included traveling to the court of King Radovid and, unexpectedly, Night City.
From Dice Poker to Gwent: A Surprising Shift
Another intriguing discovery was the developers’ initial plan to include arm wrestling and dice poker from the earlier Witcher games instead of introducing Gwent. The decision to innovate paid off immensely, as Gwent became a fan-favorite, spawning standalone video games and even a physical board game version.
Why Was This Content Cut?
Scaling down the game’s scope wasn’t an easy choice, but it was necessary. Even in its final form, The Witcher 3 is renowned for its vastness and complexity. Adding features like a Night City crossover would have likely extended development time significantly, straining resources.
Yet, the imagination of fans is now fueled by the rediscovery of these lost concepts. With tools like the recently released REDkit, modders have the opportunity to restore some of this content, bringing to life ideas that once seemed consigned to history.
The Role of Modding in Preserving Gaming History
The work of the Brothers in Arms team highlights the importance of community-driven projects in uncovering and preserving gaming history. Their meticulous documentation of The Witcher 3’s development gives fans a glimpse into the creative process behind one of gaming’s most beloved titles.
With the REDkit modding tools, the possibilities are endless. Fans might someday experience Geralt’s journey through Night City or delve into hidden vampire societies in Novigrad.
FAQs
Did Geralt actually visit Night City in any Witcher or Cyberpunk game?
No, Geralt’s visit to Night City was an early concept for The Witcher 3 that was ultimately cut.
What is the Brothers in Arms project?
It’s a modding initiative aimed at restoring cut content from The Witcher 3, providing fans with a glimpse of what could have been.
What was The Witcher 3 originally called?
The game’s working title was A Time of Sword and Axe, which was later changed to The Wild Hunt.
Why was the Night City mission removed?
The mission was likely cut due to the ambitious scale of the game, which required streamlining to ensure a manageable development timeline.
Is there any way to experience the lost content now?
Not yet, but with tools like REDkit, modders may restore some of these concepts in the future.
What other ideas were abandoned during The Witcher 3’s development?
Some cut ideas include a society of hidden vampires in Novigrad, an alternative Bloody Baron storyline, and a more extensive role for Iorveth.
The discovery of Geralt’s potential journey to Night City ignites excitement and curiosity among fans. While we may never see this crossover in its original form, the modding community keeps the dream alive.
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