The Witcher (Polish: Wiedźmin) is an action role-playing hack and slash video game developed by CD Projekt RED and published by Atari, Inc.
The game is based on the book series of the same name by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The Witcher takes place in a medieval fantasy world and follows the story of Geralt, one of a few remaining "witchers" – traveling monster hunters for hire, gifted with unnatural powers. The game's system of "moral choices" as part of the storyline was noted for its time-delayed consequences and lack of black-and-white morality.
The game utilises BioWare's proprietary Aurora Engine. A console version using an entirely new engine and combat system, titled The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf, was to be released in Autumn 2009 but was suspended due to payment problems with the console developers, Widescreen Games.