The account for The Witcher has just shared a post that instantly attracted much attention. The communication was “ATTENTION: The Witcher game is 18+!” and it was followed by that little emoji for adult content reminder. However, it is a totally different issue than it appears to be. The age limitation was entirely unrelated to the matter. Rather, it was to promote the game. The first Witcher game has now hit the official mark of being 18 years old. Can you think of that?? I mean, the game is now of the age to vote. What a surprise!
That tweet triggered a barrage of replies, and as a matter of fact, the gamers’ reaction was pretty humorous. The main subject was almost exactly the same- WHERE IS THE WITCHER 1 REMAKE?? Same type of comments were flooding in for each one. Thus, it is clear that people are really looking forward to it. One person even plainly stated “I want REMAKE!” while another seemed to be waiting for it in a more gentle manner “Remake when?” The demand is definitely there, my friends.
Now the point is that although there are people marking time for the shiny new version, a share of players are actually defending the original game. Not long ago, for instance, someone said that they had just played the first game only a few years ago and called it the best of the three. That is quite a statement considering how much Witcher 3 was. Another gamer said they had played it this year and called it an “awesome RPG experience.” They even suggested not to wait for the remake and just play the original right now. Awesome! That is a very strong recommendation for an 18-year-old game.
The nostalgia is very strong as well. A gamer said they liked all three games but were hoping the remake would retain the original’s “detective style” quests. In his judgment, it was “a game for smart people.” Which, well, that is a bit of a bold claim but I get the logic. The first Witcher had a different atmosphere than its successors. It was more… systematic? Another player even claimed that it had a “better card mechanic than Gwent.” Now that’s a hot take if I’ve ever heard one. Gwent was a massive success so it takes guts to say that the original card game was better.
Of course, not everyone is patient. The comments section is full of that blend of love and frustration which happens when players deeply care about a particular series. Someone said to CD Projekt Red “Don’t f up the Witcher 4 please. Listen to the community!” which is fair considering the Cyberpunk launch. Then there was a guy who posted one really negative comment, accusing CDPR of neglecting Witcher 4 and going bankrupt, which seems… extreme. Like, chill out, dude.
The realization of the game’s age is really hitting hard. There were lots of comments like “I was 2 back then 😔 and “I was 3 years old bruh” with crying emojis. It is the moment when you realize that the game you love is older than some players. On the contrary, old-school players are just wondering how 18 years could have passed already. DansGaming, the streamer, tweeted, “Has it really been 18 years?! Congrats on all the success.” It is one of those franchise milestones that reminds you how old you are!
However, what is really interesting is the split within the community. One faction is saying, “just play the original now, don’t wait,” while the other faction says they are waiting for the remake. One person replied to another who is playing the original with, “Nice man. Still gonna wait till the remake 😜,” using that teasing emoji. It’s like the never-ending dilemma of whether to enjoy the classic or wait for the modern version.
And then the practical aspects start coming up. Questions about a Switch 2 upgrade for Witcher 3, someone advocating a Mass Effect Legendary Edition-style collection for all three Witcher games, and of course the inevitable “any news about the remake?” comments. The thirst for information is genuine.
The most surprising thing? The original tweet was a superb marketing tactic. The term “18+” would lead you to assume the matter involves adult content, but then it turns out it is about the anniversary. That is indeed quite a clever social media job. It definitely drew everyone’s attention!
What is the current situation now? The Witcher franchise is certainly no longer a minor, and the player base is obviously still very much engaged. They are blending their love for the past with their caring for the future. The demand for a Witcher 1 remake is louder than ever, and CD Projekt Red must be aware of the fact that the pressure is tremendous. Whether you are on the side of “play the original now” or “wait for the remake,” one thing is for certain: gamers’ passion for Geralt’s first video game adventure is still very much alive Eighteen years later, this is quite an exception in the industry. Most games are forgotten in a few years, but The Witcher? It still causes this much excitement and discussion almost two decades later. That is legacy.
And happy birthday to the game that was the beginning of it all. May there be many more years of monster hunting and making questionable romantic choices.
