Fact Check: Is Gwent still active?

Is Gwent Still Active?

The claim in question revolves around the current status of "Gwent: The Witcher Card Game," specifically whether it remains an active game following recent announcements from its developer, CD Projekt Red. As of late 2023, the company has indicated that it is concluding its active development of the game, which raises questions about its ongoing viability and community engagement.

What We Know

Final Update and Development Closure: CD Projekt Red announced that it has released its final update for Gwent, marking the end of full development support for the game. This final update was made available on October 18, 2023, and included the last balance changes, with future updates to be managed by the community 1 4 8.
Community Control: Following the cessation of active development, CD Projekt Red has stated that control of the game will be handed over to the community. This transition is part of a broader initiative called "Gwentfinity," which aims to empower players to shape the game's future 3 5 9.
New Content in 2023: Despite the end of active development, CD Projekt Red had previously committed to releasing 72 new cards throughout 2023, which were distributed in three separate drops. The last of these drops occurred in September 2023, meaning no new cards will be added after this year 2 6 10.
Future of Gwent: While the game will not receive new content from CD Projekt Red after 2023, the company has expressed intentions to continue supporting the game in a limited capacity, allowing for community-driven updates and balance patches 7 9.

Analysis

The sources cited provide a mix of information regarding the status of Gwent. Here’s a closer look at their credibility and potential biases:

CD Projekt Red Announcements: The company's official communications (sources 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are primary sources that detail the company's plans for Gwent. While these are credible, they may also reflect a corporate agenda aimed at managing player expectations and maintaining community engagement after the end of active development.
Gaming News Outlets: Articles from reputable gaming news outlets like IGN, Polygon, and PC Gamer (sources 2, 4, 8, 10) provide context and analysis of CD Projekt Red's announcements. These sources generally have a good reputation for accuracy, but they may also exhibit a degree of bias based on their audience's preferences for gaming content.
Community Perspectives: The article from NCESC (source 4) attempts to gauge community sentiment regarding Gwent's status. However, it lacks in-depth analysis and relies on anecdotal evidence, which may not fully represent the broader player base.
Potential Conflicts of Interest: While CD Projekt Red's announcements are critical for understanding Gwent's future, the company's history, including controversies surrounding the launch of "Cyberpunk 2077," may lead to skepticism about their communications. Players may question whether the company's shift to community control is a genuine effort to engage players or a way to offload responsibility for ongoing game management.

What Additional Information Would Be Helpful

To further assess Gwent's status, additional information could include:

Community Feedback: Insights from the Gwent player community regarding their willingness and ability to take over game management would provide a clearer picture of the game's future.
Player Engagement Metrics: Data on player activity, such as daily active users or engagement levels, would help gauge whether Gwent remains a viable game post-development.
Future Plans from Community Leaders: Statements or plans from community leaders or groups involved in the Gwentfinity initiative could clarify how the community intends to manage the game moving forward.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that "Gwent: The Witcher Card Game" is still an active game is false. CD Projekt Red has officially concluded its active development of Gwent, with the final update released on October 18, 2023. While the game will continue to exist and be managed by the community under the "Gwentfinity" initiative, it will not receive new content or updates from the developer going forward. This transition raises questions about the game's future viability and community engagement, as it relies heavily on player involvement.

It is important to note that while the game may still be playable, the lack of official support and new content could significantly impact player interest and engagement levels. Additionally, the evidence available primarily comes from official announcements and gaming news outlets, which may carry inherent biases. Therefore, readers should critically evaluate the ongoing status of Gwent and consider the implications of its shift to community management.

Sources

CD Projekt Releases Its Final Update to Gwent: The Witcher Card Game. IGN. Link
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game shutting down support in 2024. Polygon. Link
Gwent development is ending in 2024, but CD Projekt wants ... PC Gamer. Link
Is Gwent still alive 2023? - Gaming FAQ - NCESC. Link
2023 and GWENTfinity Part 1 - GWENT: The Witcher Card Game. Link
The Beginning of the End. Gwent in 2023 and Beyond. :: GWENT: The ... Steam Community. Link
Witcher card game Gwent's final update has arrived, marking the ... VG247. Link
Witcher spin-off Gwent's final update now here, bringing development to ... Eurogamer. Link
Gwent's official development ends, leaving future balance patches in ... PC Gamer. Link
CD Projekt ending active development on Gwent after 2023. Game Developer. Link