Modders of The Witcher 3 have only had official tools from developer CD Projekt Red for two months, but they’ve already made great use of them. One ambitious modder was able to recreate some of the first game’s map with the new tools only a day after they were released. More recently, a new mod has given the already ambitious RPG a full-fledged reputation system, restoring a concept to the game that the mod’s description claims was cut from the original release.
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The mod (first pointed out by IGN) is simply titled Reputation System and was uploaded by Nexus Mods user FreakVlp on July 18. “Now Geralt’s choices and behaviors will correspond to his reputation points in different regions,” the description reads, “and will have many influences to all kinds of activities of him.” For those who use the mod in a new playthrough, there will now be five reputation levels that affect how the world reacts to Geralt. From worst to best, the levels are: Hated, Disliked, Neutral, Liked, and Respectable. In an email to Kotaku, CD Projekt Red confirmed that the team did prototype a reputation system very early in development, but the mod itself gives its own spin on what that looks like.
The level is determined by a 100-point scale, with each level having a specific range. For example, Neutral is between 40 and 60. Whenever Geralt enters a new region the reputation will start at Neutral, so you don’t have to worry about being public enemy number one from the start. Doing Witcher contracts as well as winning horse/boat races or fist fights will boost your reputation. Some main quests will also have an impact on reputation depending on your choices, and if you steal or swing your weapon in front of guards, you’ll lose reputation points. The system looks to punish (or reward) you by focusing consequences on the place that matters, your wallet. Better reputation levels will give you a discount at shops while letting you sell items for a higher price. The opposite is true if Geralt isn’t popular with the locals.
Updated: 7/24/2024 12:20 p.m. ET: Official comment from CD Projekt Red on the claim that the mod revives a cut system from the game’s development has been added.
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