The former Witcher 3 director reveals The Blood of Dawnwalker's protagonist lives a double life, his power surging at night thanks to his vampiric blood. Discover this unique game mechanic!

The Blood of Dawnwalker: Introducing a Unique Game Mechanic

A Day-and-Night Dual Life: Former Witcher 3 Director Details Protagonist's Abilities and Limitations

Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, former Witcher 3 director and founder of Rebel Wolves, unveils a novel game mechanic—a concept familiar in pop culture but unexplored in video games. Rebel Wolves, the studio behind The Blood of Dawnwalker, boasts several veterans from the Witcher 3 team.

In a PC Gamer interview, Tomaszkiewicz explains his desire to avoid superhero tropes: "It’s hard to do those stories because you are just stronger and stronger and stronger," he stated. "So I searched for a hero grounded in reality, who needed to solve problems differently. But I also wanted to give players a sense of the superhuman."

This led to a protagonist embodying the true duality of a half-human, half-vampire. Coen, the protagonist, will be vulnerable by day, possessing human weaknesses, but will gain supernatural abilities and powers at night.

"This duality, reminiscent of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is well-known in pop culture but untouched in games," Tomaszkiewicz shared. "It adds a new layer to the unreal, and I think it will be interesting because nobody has done it yet. We'll see how players respond."

This mechanic introduces both opportunities and restrictions. Night battles, especially against non-vampires, will likely favor Coen. Conversely, daytime quests might demand more strategic thinking, as his vampiric powers are unavailable.

Time as a Resource: Another Innovative Mechanic from Witcher 3's Ex-Design Director

Daniel Sadowski, former design director of The Witcher 3, revealed in a January 16, 2025 PC Gamer interview that The Blood of Dawnwalker will feature a "time-as-a-resource" mechanic.

This mechanic significantly limits quest completion, tying progression to a strict time system. "It will force choices—what to do, what to ignore—because you'll need to select which content to pursue to maximize your chances of defeating the main enemy," Sadowski explained. "But you'll have different approaches, all tying into the narrative sandbox."

Players must carefully prioritize quests, considering the impact on future missions and relationships. While restrictive, Sadowski believes "knowing time is limited crystallizes your actions and Coen's motivations."

These two mechanics intertwine, making every choice—and inaction—impact the narrative, elevating the weight of every decision.