Even one of The Witcher’s infamous sex card creators has regrets about how it was implemented. He would do things differently today.
There are many romance options in the original Witcher game, from big characters like Shani and Triss to unnamed courtesans and farmgirls who can give quests. You get a card with a richly illustrated pin-up of the woman you choose, usually in a suggestive and semi-nude position, once Geralt has had sex. These cards can be collected, making them collectibles.
It is all about changing your mindset to believe that you have to collect them all. Karol Kowalczyk (Witcher 1 story designer, scripter), is one of the people responsible for the famous cards. (opens new tab). “In this context, it is quite disturbing that the game makes you a mindless sex addict in order get your sex. As you test the game 100 times, you begin to feel the emotions but it is not obvious.
The cards were initially intended to be a way for Geralt not to have to make difficult animations and to keep his partners’ names in mind. The later Witcher games would allow Geralt to have many spicy rendezvous, both casually and romantically. However, cards are now primarily used as Gwent’s playing pieces and are significantly less horny.
Kowalczyk has resigned from CD Projekt Red. He will therefore not be able to have any influence over the Witcher remake. Kowalczyk says that he would get rid of the sex cards in that remake as well, but fans are still preparing for their removal.
“With the experience I have now, I’d leave the drawings in the game, but remove *any* suggestions that this is a collectible, and also do a review of all the scenes and strip the game of those that were causing mixed feelings.”
The Witcher remake is in tough straits.
