I got mine without an Ars account. You do need a Gog.com account though.

Cool, I also have casual and formal emails ;)

Saw many sites put that as a requirements too, not sure if they changed it afterwards because the site clearly says, "You'll need either an existing Ars account or a valid e-mail address to claim a code."

It's a great game. Combat is super simple and easy but original at the same time - it's somewhat a quick time event, and also there are two types of swords - iron for humanoids and silver for beasts - and if you use iron on beasts or silver on humanoids, you won't do almost any damage. I guess that is why many people get frustrated and ragequit and then go on forums and say that combat sucks. But I have to admit that the game does a poor job at explaining these things at the beginning of the game if tries at all.

Got already Witcher 1 and 2 for free from GOG over the years, so I'll pass

It is quite hard to play. I would only through with it if you really want to see the origins on the story.

Whether you want the game or not, everyone should check out Ars Technica. It's one of the best science and tech news sites I've ever read

Indeed. Many Wikipedia articles cite them. Anandtech, Toms hardware etc' have even referenced them for multiple Articles.