Crimson Desert, Clair Obscur, and the Renaissance of RPG Innovation

Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are among the titles that evoke for Konrad Tomaszkiewicz—director of The Witcher 3 and upcoming vampiric RPG Blood of Dawnwalker—the creative diversity of the 1990s RPG golden age: an era defined not by uniformity, but by a wave of genre-defining releases that differed wildly in design, tone, and interactivity—yet all delivered “an unknown experience.”

Rooted in Classic RPG Foundations

Speaking with GamesRadar+ about inspirations behind Blood of Dawnwalker, Tomaszkiewicz highlights his lifelong engagement with RPGs. His formative influences include foundational PC titles such as The Eye of the Beholder, Stonekeep, and Betrayal at Krondor. So deeply entrenched is his affinity for these early works that even Baldur’s Gate—“which is an ancient story for most people”—feels comparatively new to him.

Embracing Contemporary Narrative Craft

Tomaszkiewicz emphasizes that his perspective extends beyond nostalgia. He praises Dispatch as “a great storytelling game” for its innovative approach to dialogue writing—crafting characters that feel authentic and emotionally resonant. He also cites his active playthrough of Crimson Desert, noting his interest in how Pearl Abyss rethinks systemic freedom: “It’s a different type of game, a different type of RPG—but also really interesting when you play it, because you see that you can achieve totally different emotions with the game without being story heavy.”

A Genre Reopened

“There is a lot of space to still upgrade this genre,” he observes—yet he also affirms the current moment as uniquely promising. Referencing recent releases like Crimson Desert, Dispatch, and Clair Obscur, he draws a direct parallel to the early 1990s: “Every game which appears was sometimes similar in the meaning of genre, but really different in the meaning of how you control this game, how you experience stuff.”

This resurgence reflects more than stylistic variety—it signals structural opportunity. Tomaszkiewicz believes today’s RPG landscape mirrors the ’90s in one crucial way: “Those doors are again open” for relatively smaller studios to experiment boldly while remaining competitive with AAA productions.

From Homogeneity to Authentic Discovery

The shift represents a marked departure from the recent past, when many RPGs offered “really similar experiences.” Today, developers are increasingly encouraged—and empowered—to create “something which opens an unknown experience for you” and meaningfully differentiate themselves. Tomaszkiewicz concludes with conviction: “It’s really cool, and I will try to promote it and be the company which, from game to game, delivers this kind of experience.”

And yes—Blood of Dawnwalker includes romance. “Silly,” adds the former Witcher 3 lead—with characteristic candor.