European developer CD Projekt are gearing up for the release of The Witcher: Enhanced Edition - a tweaked version of their 2007 RPG in which they've gone back to the drawing board to address several criticisms, in response to the original game's reviews and fan feedback.

Technical enhancements include faster loading times alongside improved combat responsiveness and precision. Following feedback from fans, the English script has been re-worked, while extensive amounts of the voice-over has been re-recorded for the English and German versions, all to deliver an even more immersive and involving story experience. All of the enhancements will be available as a free download to existing game owners via the game’s official website, www.thewitcher.com.

Today, they've released a bunch of new videos describing in-depth some of the additions and improvements in the new version. Check them out in our video library:

• New Character Models
  
• New Dialogue and Guestures
  
• General Changes
  
• New Quests
  
• The Adventure Editor

Those that already own the game can look out for this one in patch form from thewitcher.com on September 19 while prospective buyers will be able to find the updated retail game on local store shelves October 02 2008. Screenshots and files can be found on our The Witcher: Enhanced Edition game page.

good on them for being pro-active about all the bugs in the game.

sad they had to effectively release the game twice..

sad they had to effectively release the game twice.

Yeah, I find it pretty interesting. They've obviously have a pretty full team working on this for the past year.

I'm really glad it's a free patch though. Other companies might have tried to get away with charging existing owners for something like this.

tbh even the first release was of higher quality than you get from a lot more established companies...who never improve the product.

Then these guys go back and polish it up to perfection, and give all the enhancements to the owners for free. Pretty good really.

Would kill for a multiplayer game like this.

I think I would have preferred them to release an expansion instead of reworking an old game with limited re-playability. Of course things like the dreadfully long loading times should/could have simply been patched.

Seriously a whole year!? How are they not losing money on this?

I don't think its sad at all that they "had" to release it twice. They're obviously one of the few companies left in the industry that are passionate enough about their game to improve it without asking for more coin (as Dan mentioned above). If it was just about bugs then it would be via patching but they obviously wanted to improve it in MANY areas that go far beyond bug-fixing.

But couldn't that have been by properly beta testing their game before they released it?

I don't think its sad at all that they "had" to release it twice. They're obviously one of the few companies left in the industry that are passionate enough about their game to improve it without asking for more coin (as Dan mentioned above). If it was just about bugs then it would be via patching but they obviously wanted to improve it in MANY areas that go far beyond bug-fixing.

if they were passionate enough about their game they would never of released it so full of aids and bugs.

no matter how you look at it, it should never ever be considered acceptable.

I think I'll buy this purely on the fact that they didn't just toss it out and live with it.

Take note other game companies (damn you Ultima IX and Daikatana)

the first version worked a charm for me - some quest bugs but definately not unplayable. loading times were long but no different to diablo 1 days.

i've seen this at eb for $50, i think i might pick it up today and download this patch and get back into it