A single-player role-playing game scheduled for release next year is expected to become a popular item among PC gamers -- and pirates are already licking their chops at the chance to pirate CD Projekt's The Witcher 2 video game.
The Witcher 2 will be released in May 2011, and the game studio would like at least 1.3 million units sold.
Despite the threat towards pirates, The Witcher 2 will not have DRM protecting it against piracy -- but game pirates will ultimately face monetary fines and possible legal action if caught pirating the game.
In fact, the company is now working with legal firms and P2P trackers to locate and identify pirates sharing their game. Once an offender has been caught, they are offered an out of court settlement, but the monetary settlement proposal remains unknown.
On the unique upside of hearing news like this, it looks like CD Projekt and Iwinski understand there is a negative stigma to the lawsuits -- and the law firms issuing settlement letters to users.
He had this to say: "We don't want to be so harsh, but there is a chance that this might happen to some people if they download illegally. There will be an initiative."
The game studio previously spoke against game piracy, and hopes possible legal action will help prevent piracy. Furthermore, CD Projekt wants paying customers to not have to endure DRM or any other restrictions that may possibly interfere with game play.
This is the type of threat that future game developers and independent musicians should avoid issuing to consumers. First and foremost, it put a bulls-eye on The Witcher 2, as hackers will want to intentionally pirate and share the game due to their threats. Secondly, interested gamers may choose to save a few extra dollars (or purchase a different game) depending on the game studio's stance towards DRM and piracy.
Game developers handle piracy and DRM differently, with Codemaster CEO Rod Cousins speaking out against DRM.
