Why 'The Witcher 3' Will Be A Completely Different Kind Of Fantasy From Dragon Age: Inquisition

An Attendee Uses Her Smartphone In Front Of A Fiant Microsoft Xbox Sign At The 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Known as E3, in Los Angeles — An attendee uses her smartphone in front of a giant Microsoft Xbox sign at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2014. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

"Dragon Age: Inquisition" may have scooped up its fair share of Game of the Year awards in 2014, but that doesn't mean developer CD Projekt Red is eager to compare their magnum opus, "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" to Bioware's critical darling. Far from it, the Polish developer is eager to highlight the differences between its latest offering and what gamers get from most other open world RPGs.

In an interview with PlayStation Lifestyle, CD Projekt RED Level Designer Miles Tost fielded the question of how "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" differentiates itself from other RPG's. He responded by stating that the world of "The Witcher" is considerably more grounded in reality, with the ability to wield magic restricted to a precious few individuals. Magic is part of the world, but it simply isn't a focus, and is definitely not as integral to the setting as it is in "Dragon Age."

"I think, we are a completely different kind of fantasy. There is magic in the world, but only a few people are able to cast it, and it is anchored to a certain view that people have towards it. It is much more about the people living in the world, and it just so happens to have all of these kinds of monster [sic] roaming around," said Tost to PlayStation Lifestyle.

Gaming Bolt notes in a report that comparisons between "The Witcher 3" and "Dragon Age: Inquisition" are indeed valid. Both games are new entries in relatively new RPG series, with both being compared to Bethesda Game Studios sprawling open world epic "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim."

If "Dragon Age" and "Skyrim" aren't influencing "The Witcher 3," then what are the development studio looking to for inspiration? It turns out the team gets their ideas from a wide range of sources. Tost explained that he's personally influenced by games such as Obsidian's well-regared "Baldur's Gate" series, specifically noting the nuance with which which the game's story unfolds. He also explains that beyond simply looking at videogames, the team has an eye on books and films as well.

VP of Global Marketing Tomasz Jarzbowski, goes further, noting that because CD Projekt Red is very much a multinational development studio. As such, different team members with varied backgrounds have influence on the development of "The Witcher 3." The developer appears proud of the wealth of ideas that it is able to draw from this diversity, and hopes it shines through in the final product.

"The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" was originally slated for release in late 2014, before being pushed to February and most recently, May 19. CD Projekt Red cited the game's immense scope, and a desire to ensure a polished release as the reason for the delays. It will be available on Windows PC, PS4 and Xbox One.