The Witcher 3 Won’t Tone Down Sex, Violence for Ratings

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is not a game for kids. Similar to Grand Theft Auto or Saints Row, the issues handled in CD Projekt RED’s open-world epic are not meant to be tackled by those below a certain age. Video games aren’t just interactive toys meant to be tailored for a general audience, and when it comes to building a mature project like Wild Hunt, the developer knows that ratings can’t even cross its mind during development.

Speaking with Games.On.net, CD Projekt Red revealed that it isn't keeping the Australian Classification system in mind when producing content for The Witcher 3. The team will include in the game what it feels is right, and not let outside forces influence that vision.

"We don't create the game with any specific rating in mind," team member Agnieszka Szostak said. "We implement in it things we believe will create the best gaming experience. Whether those are meaningful choices, deep relationships between characters, sex scenes, bloody combat or curses.

“If we think they are needed there to make the game world living, breathing and believable they will be there. Rating of the game is a secondary thing really.”

It’s a noble thought, and one that will likely lead to the game not making an appearance in Australia. Saints Row 4 and State of Decay are two recent examples of games deemed too mature for the region, but really, it seems more important for the developer to stay true to itself than listen to people who know nothing about games.