View source for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Published in 2015, ''The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'' quickly became one of the most popular games in the last decade. One of the reasons for that might be the complex game mechanics, that create a unique experience for the player. This article will not only highlight this, but also how the morality of the player, therefore the decisions he or she makes while playing and how they can (and will) affect the whole gameplay. 
==About the Game==

''The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'' is an open world action [[Role-Playing Game]] played in third person perspective by polish developement studio ''CD Project'', published in 2015. It is the last part of a game-trilogy, based on the ''Witcher'' fantasy novels by polish author Andrej Sapkowski.
Main charakter is Witcher Geralt of Rivia, whose task ist to rescue his so to say daughter Ciri who is on the run from the evil instance Wild Hunt. On his journey he has to fight different monsters, help NPCs and do many other quests, providing hundreds of hours of gameplay.

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==Research-Relevant Contents of the Game==
===Core Game Mechanics===

====Skill-Tree====
There are four different Skill Trees and seventy skills in total, that the player can invest points to. Only twelve of these can be equipped at a given time, but they can be swapped. The points are gained by either leveling up or by finding Places of Power. 

The four skill trees are: Combat Skills, Signs, Alchemy Skills and General Skills.
Mutagens, which can be found by killing monsters or searching chests, can also be equipped to provide different benefits (e.g. increased health, more armor points or stamina).<br />
====Combat System====
Geralt has two swords: one made of silver used against monsters and one made of steel used against humans and non-humans, such as dwarfs, elves or gnomes.<br />
====Witcher Senses====
When the superhuman Witcher Senses are activated, Geralt can focus on his surrounding to see tracks and clues, which are highlighted in red (when not examined) or yellow (when already examined). They are also useful for detecting herbs to create different potions. 

During quests, the Witcher Senses help to track down enemies, find missing people by following blood tracks or smells or to find notes that contain important information.<br />

====Decisions====
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt lives from the decisions and choices the player makes. Beginning with the skill system, to the weapons and armor, to the option to help different [[Non-Player Character]]s (NPCs) while doing side quests and finally to make important decisions within the dialogue with main characters to get forward in the main quest. Almost every decision made by the player has smaller or bigger consequences for single characters, whole villages or the ''Witcher''-World itself.

===Further Content of the Game===

====Creating an Immersive Experience====
There are different ways to create a more immersive gaming experience. One is to use Mods, the other is to use the original options of the game to alter its appearance. For example the player can turn off the mini map, the in-game music and don't use the option to call Roach (Geralt's horse) at any point to keep it more realistic.

====Mods====
There are several Mods available for the PC version of the game to create an individual experience for the player.

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==Related Research Approaches==
===Immersive Gameplay===

===Decisions and Morality in Video Games===

==Credits/Links==
[[Category:Games]]