Witcher dev: Publishers use DRM as "smokescreen" to cover their a**es

The industry at large knows DRM doesn't work, but continues to use it to cover their a**es, according to The Witcher developer CD Projekt Red CEO Marcin Iwinski, an outspoken opponent of DRM.

Speaking with GameSpot sister site GiantBomb, Iwinski went into detail on why he believes DRM, as it is currently used, is a broken system.

"It seems to me that the industry as a whole knows DRM doesn't work, but corporations still use it as a smokescreen, effectively covering their asses, pretending to protect their intellectual property in front of bosses, investors, and shareholders," Iwinski said.

"I've actually had quite a few discussions with high level executives who admit they know DRM doesn't work, but if they don't use it somebody might accuse them of not protecting their property. Whenever policy trumps common sense, the best interest of gamers is lost in the process," he added.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on PC will feature no DRM whatsoever. This doesn't mean the game will be pirated more than if it did have DRM, Iwinski said.

"Will it be more pirated than if we put DRM on it? I definitely don't think so. Practically every single game's DRM is cracked on day 0 (or even before then), so that's not really an argument for using it," he said. "With a DRM-free release, we're hoping to build more trust between us and gamers."

Check out the entire Giant Bomb feature for more from Iwinski on DRM. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and PC in 2014. In addition to that game, CD Projekt Red is working on next-generation role-playing game Cyberpunk 2077 and a "smaller" unannounced game at its new office in Krakow.