Developer of the Year
Nominees
- Bethesda Game Studios
- CD Projekt Red
- From Software
- Kojima Productions
- Nintendo
Most Likely to Win: CD Projekt Red
Gaming in 2014 and early 2015 was defined by developers and publishers nickle-and-diming their customers through microtransactions and day-one DLC while releasing products that seemed incomplete at best. In the lead up to CD Projekt Red’s AAA release, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the developer understood the changing public perception of most companies in the industry after some massive bluster.
The Witcher 3 delivered on every expectation that was placed on it. Fans were treated to a deep and dense world that resulted in hundreds of hours of potential gameplay. Most importantly, however, was the open line of communication between CD Projekt Red and the customer. From very early on, the developer made it clear that it had no interest in small and unnecessary microtransactions. Instead, they chose to give 16 free pieces of DLC to everyone who purchased the game ranging from side quests to alternative character models to a new game plus mode and used their resources to develop two huge expansion packs that were sold together for $25.
CD Projekt Red showed gaming fans that there are companies that still care very deeply for their customers and set a precedent moving forward for how companies should handle customer relations.
