CD Projekt Red never planned on releasing Gwent as a standalone game. Thanks, however, to its popularity in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, fans clamored for its release. It’s available on Android and iOS and has managed to allure a lot of players who enjoyed the console games.
The problem for the Polish developer is that Gwent is still a niche offering, and it doesn’t appeal to the masses. In fact, people who don’t follow the Witcher or fantasy card games are unlikely to know about it.
Needs to Broaden its Offerings to Allure a Bigger Crowd
Up to now, Gwent has appealed to players who enjoyed The Witcher series, along with general fans of collectible card games. However, it could arguably be doing more to bring in a wider audience of people with different interests. There are certain online industries that have been hugely successful because they’ve tried to market to as broad a demographic as possible.
The online bingo industry serves up a prime example great success through diversity and providing varied entertainment. What’s more, it could inspire CD Projekt Red to offer a greater amount of game modes. When people play online bingo now, they have more than just traditional bingo available. Indeed, they can choose different rooms with themes and altered rule sets. There are also related games like Slingo.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was one of the most successful games of all time because it straddled a variety of genres to allure different players. Gwent needs to do the same if it is to be as successful as other fantasy card games. This could come in the form of drastically altered game modes that involve the aspects that made the console games so appealing.
Standalone Game in Development
Some good news for the future of Gwent is that there is a standalone single-player game in development. There are reports suggesting that this will require no prior experience of playing the game, and it will exist independently of the online competitive version. This means that it could serve as a gateway for new players to get involved and develop a passion for Gwent.
Project Red took the new Gwent game, codenamed Project Golden Nekker, and slated it for a 2022 launch. However, nothing has been officially announced yet, so players may have to wait until next year to get their hands on this new fantasy card themed adventure. This isn’t the first time there’s been a campaign mode on Gwent. The last time the developer did this it was used to promote the online card game’s release, and Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales was met with a strong critical response. CD Projekt Red will be hoping that the new offering has the same effect.
Interest in Gwent may be starting to wane, which is why CD Projekt Red feels the need to release a new game to appeal to a fresh fanbase. But there’s an argument to suggest the studio should be doing more. Taking inspiration from sprawling online industries like bingo would be beneficial to the future of Gwent.
