The Witcher 3 Writer Says Ideal Quest Requires Player to Put Down Controller

An ideal quest in The Witcher 3 should evoke an emotional response so powerful that the player puts down the gamepad, stands up, and paces around the room while weighing the consequences of their choice.

Narrative Director Marcin Blacha discussed the creation of the game’s most memorable stories. According to him, the foundation of a good quest should be a dilemma that defies a simple division between good and evil.

The script should not offer an obvious solution that can be resolved by repeatedly pressing a single button. An important choice must carry enough weight to prompt reflection on human nature, the surrounding world, or the personal tragedies of the characters.

Blacha described the reaction to an ideal climax: the player puts down the controller, stands up from the chair, and paces around the room to weigh all the pros and cons. Only after that do they return to the screen and select an option while fully understanding the consequences.

The team is sticking to that same philosophy when creating the third story expansion, Songs of the Past, in which they will not shy away from difficult themes and emotional discomfort.