The title pretty much says it all. Whenever I can get one, I prefer a physical copy over digital, however, I am an achievement whore, and I want steam achievements.

I actually had this same question today for one of my friends who didn't have a good answer and wasn't sure.

From what I've heard a retail copy will not connect to your Steam account. You can run the game through Steam to get the overlay in game but it will not be considered a Steam game. 

On steampowered.com there is a list of retail games that are Steam compatible. Witcher 2 might already be on the list if it is.

Based on the 5 mins i took to search google for an answer I can say that the physical copy of The witcher 2 won't ship with steamworks

no

There are no achievements in steam. For the game

Why arnt you guys buying it on steam?

" @scarace360: Some people prefer to have physical boxes. Or are getting the collectors edition. Or buying on GoG. "

" @scarace360: Because buying it from GoG.com makes you a better person. "

" @scarace360: Well it doesn't really but because GoG and CD Projekt RED are owned by the same company more of the money will go to the developer if you buy from GoG. "

" @scarace360: Wow ok was just saying didn't realise it was a touchy subject lol. "

No. It would only connect through steam as a copy protection measure which CD Projekt  doesn't jive with. The Witcher 2 is using a date check version of Securom Release Control with unlimited licences but only 5 computers being able to run the same copy at a time. The version sold through GOG has no DRM.

that world map is tempting me
how cool(nerdy) would it be to open the map and point at all the places you've visited