The Nerial team explains how they integrated Geralt into their choose-your-own-adventure series. Known for the Reigns series, which blends Tinder-like mechanics with an adventure format, Nerial has now adapted The Witcher universe for their games. This follows their previous works, including an adaptation of Game of Thrones. Francois Alliot, creative director at Nerial, notes that the Reigns formula offers an accessible way to introduce players to complex storylines and universes through simple, binary choices. In Reigns, players make decisions by swiping right or left, which translates well into The Witcher‘s world where Geralt faces numerous threats and options affecting the story’s progression.
The game’s design allows fans to explore the universe in a playful way while simultaneously serving as an entry point for newcomers to The Witcher franchise. Alliot describes the game as offering a meta experience that feels akin to fanfiction, making it fun for established fans and accessible for those unfamiliar with the series. The concept deviates from the original Reigns system where death leads players to assume a new character, as in The Witcher, you follow tales sung by Dandelion, Geralt’s bard companion, that deviate from established lore. The integration of humor and varying outcomes—such as Geralt meeting his demise during an orgy—adds a lighthearted dimension to the game.
Narrative designer Oscar Harrington-Shaw explains that this approach, conceived in collaboration with CD Projekt Red, allows players to experience satisfaction regardless of the narrative’s direction. Combat is presented via a rhythm-based mini-game where players maneuver Geralt side-to-side to engage or avoid monsters. These decisions maintain the streamlined nature of Reigns, keeping true to its swipe-based mechanics even in combat scenarios.
The adaptation complements the Reigns mechanics well due to the world of The Witcher, filled with moral complexities and choices befitting the game’s binary decision-making format. Harrington-Shaw believes Geralt’s frequent moral dilemmas align with Reigns structure, translating the series’ gray moralities into engaging gameplay. Reigns: The Witcher is now available on PC and mobile platforms.