Witcher 3 Dev "Amazed" at Its Success, Has "No Idea" Where Series Goes Next

CD Projekt Red continues to be "amazed" at the success The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has enjoyed thus far. According to visual effects artists Jose Teixeria, that's in part because the developer was not necessarily anticipating that the game would appeal to such a wide audience.

"We are still amazed at how many people played The Witcher 3, because it's a game style that is usually reserved for hardcore audiences," he said in a new interview with MCV. "People actually loved it, especially more in the casual audience, which we're really impressed with."

Teixeria went on to say that he thinks the success of The Witcher 3 illustrates that games don't necessarily need multiplayer or microtransactions to be hits.

"If anything, The Witcher 3 proved the point that players are more interested in longer games," he said. "Now, especially, you hear so many people talking about how the AAA games industry is there and nobody wants that experience anymore, and here you go--a nice, well-written single-player experience. There's no multiplayer, there's no microtransactions; you get a game, you play the game and enjoy the game, and it's a great success."

The game, which cost about $81 million to develop, sold 6 million copies in six weeks. In addition to continued sales, CD Projekt is now making more money from the game through its first paid expansion, Hearts of Stone.

Given that The Witcher is a successful franchise, fans might be wondering where it's headed next. But don't look to Teixeria for answers on that front. "I have no idea," he said.

The Witcher 3 wrapped up main character Geralt of Rivia's story. It may not be the last game in the series, but CD Projekt Red previously said not to expect The Witcher 4 anytime soon, as the Polish studio is now focusing its efforts on Cyberpunk 2077. Teixeria, like others before him, added that the overall Witcher universe is ripe with storytelling opportunities, if CD Projekt Red ever decides to return to it.

"We're very happy with the way it ended," he said. "If this is the end, then it ends on a good note and we're ready to move on. But, apart from that, imagination is the limit. You can do anything with it. Maybe some day someone will pick it up for another form--not even a game, but something totally different. One can hope."

For more on The Witcher 3, check out GameSpot's review of Hearts of Stone.

Where would you like to see The Witcher franchise go next? Let us know in the comments below.