Back in November, CD Projekt RED announced plans to release 16 pieces of post-launch downloadable content for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. No season pass required, no pre-ordering, no collector's edition, nothing — just plain ol' free DLC. It's not an apology to fans for the constant delays either. Rather, it's CD Projekt Red's way to make a stand against greedy publishers who continuously nickel-and-dime customers with the "steepy priced" paid DLC economy.
"Because people just paid full price for our game," CD Projekt co-founder and joint CEO Marcin Iwiński told IGN when asked why the developer planned on releasing 16 pieces of DLC for free. "We owe them."
“Yeah, we are making a statement,” he added. “We, as gamers, would like to be treated this way, 'Hey, give me free DLC.' It doesn't have to be something huge. And I'm saying we aren't giving out huge stuff, we aren't giving tens of hours of storyline here, we are giving small bits of pieces that don't cost a lot. And I think people would feel better about our game, and, so, they will enjoy the adventure even more."
“And maybe the ones who thought about pirating would not pirate it,” Iwiński continued. “Maybe the ones who wanted to trade it back and get something else will keep it on the shelf. That'd be great, I would like this to happen and if not that's fine as well. I hope they'll have fun.”
It's worth noting that the DLC won't be anything major, but then again, most downloadable content that publishers charge for isn't. The free DLC for The Witcher 3 will consist of things like new armor or weapons, extra character skins, and things of that nature.
The first bundle of DLC — containing two of the 16 planned items — is said to include the Temerian Armor Set (horse armor included) and a Beard and Hairstyle Set for Geralt, the game’s protagonist. It was slated to arrive on February 25, a day after The Witcher 3's original release. However, a three month delay pushed The Witcher 3's release back to May 19, 2015. I'm assuming CD Projekt will keep on the same track and release the DLC a day later on May 20th.
