The announcement of a new Witcher game has once again raised questions for players: where to buy, how long to wait, and most importantly — how to pay if your card was issued outside your account's country. Below is a practical breakdown without plot rumors: just stores, prices, platform rules, and a step-by-step guide to paying with a virtual card.
Where the game will be sold
Pre-order channels for major RPG releases are traditionally the same:
- PC: Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG.com (CD Projekt Red's own platform), plus official key resellers.
- Consoles: PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store (Xbox), Nintendo eShop — if a Switch version is confirmed.
- Physical editions: Amazon, GameStop, local retailers, and collector's editions from the publisher.
Check the official project website for the exact list of stores and pre-order opening dates — the publisher announces them separately by region.
How much it costs and whether regional pricing applies
Prices for AAA releases usually sit in the $60–70 range for the standard edition, with collector's editions costing significantly more. Check the exact price for your region on the store's website — it depends on your account currency and the platform's local policy.
Regional pricing exists: on Steam, Epic, and console stores, the price is tied to your account's country. This means trying to buy cheaper by changing regions can lead to account bans and loss of your library. It's safer to pay in your account's currency.
Do stores accept cards from foreign issuers?
Everything depends on the store and the card's country of issue:
- Steam and Epic: accept Visa and Mastercard, but payment may fail if the card's country doesn't match the account's country.
- PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store: often require a card issued in the account's region and verify the address (AVS).
- GOG.com: more lenient with international cards, but may still request 3-D Secure.
3-D Secure (bank code confirmation) is now enabled almost everywhere. If your card doesn't support 3DS or your bank doesn't send the code, the payment will be declined before any charge.
How to pay for a pre-order with a virtual card: step by step
- Issue a virtual Visa or Mastercard in the required currency (USD or EUR — matching your account currency).
- Top up with a buffer: the game price + 5–10% for conversion and possible pre-authorization.
- Log into your store account, add the game to your cart, and select "Pre-order".
- Enter your card details: number, expiry, CVV, and cardholder name. For AVS, you may need an address — use the one linked to the card.
- Complete 3-D Secure: confirm the transaction with the code from your bank.
- Save the receipt and a screenshot of the confirmation — useful if you need to dispute.
How much to keep on balance: many stores place a pre-authorization (hold) for the full amount or $1 to verify the card. Keep the full game price plus a small buffer on your balance until the charge date — otherwise the payment will be automatically canceled.
What to do if the payment fails
- Check whether the card's country matches the account's country.
- Make sure 3-D Secure is enabled and your bank isn't blocking foreign transactions.
- Try a different card currency or payment method.
- As a backup — a store gift card (Steam Wallet, PlayStation Store Gift Card): you can buy it from a foreign online store and redeem it in your account.
- For physical editions, use a forwarding service if the store doesn't ship to your country.
A VirtCardPay virtual card works for paying foreign gaming platforms: it's issued in USD or EUR, supports 3-D Secure, and tops up in a couple of clicks — handy when you need to keep an exact amount on balance until a pre-order charge.
FAQ
Can I pre-order if my card was issued outside the account's country?
Sometimes yes, but many stores check that the card region matches the account. It's safer to use a card in your account's currency.
When will the pre-order be charged?
Usually a few days before release. Until then, the store may hold a pre-authorization — make sure your balance has enough funds.
What if my pre-order was canceled due to a payment decline?
Check your balance, card expiry, and 3-D Secure settings, then place the order again. If it still fails, use a store gift card.
Service, game, and franchise names belong to their respective rights holders and are mentioned only to describe the payment scenario; VirtCardPay is not affiliated with them.
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