The Witcher 3 was originally planned to feature a much larger scale, including a quest where Geralt would join the Wild Hunt as part of its narrative development. Marcin Blacha, the lead writer, revealed that this idea included Geralt sailing on the Naglfar, engaging in quests alongside Wild Hunt riders while pretending to be one of them.

Moreover, the ending of the game drew some inspiration from Mass Effect 2, which involved a synchronization between gathering allies and going on a dire mission. “Mass Effect 2 was a huge influence on our design,” said Blacha. However, CD Projekt opted for a more personal story focusing on Geralt’s relationships rather than a grand suicide mission.

Another aspect of the game that underwent changes was the second DLC, Blood and Wine, which initially had a storyline involving a stableboy who found a knight’s armor and sought to impress a damsel, ultimately facing dire consequences. Writer Tomasz Marchewka mentioned regret over this narrative being cut for the sake of craftsmanship. Subsequently, it was revealed that at one point, there were drafts of Blood and Wine that lacked its titular vampires, an idea ultimately discarded for being inconsistent with the project’s core themes.

Here’s a quick summary of the key points:

• Geralt was originally set to join the Wild Hunt
• The game’s conclusion drew inspiration from Mass Effect 2
• Blood and Wine had unexpected storylines that were cut for quality reasons
• The development spotlighted the intricate process behind the legendary RPG.