Though it’s yet to properly showcase real-time gameplay, CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher 4 has garnered significant attention. The gorgeous tech demo showcase certainly helped, especially in highlighting how the team utilized Unreal Engine’s new Nanite Foliage. However, the addition of Ciri as the protagonist, a focus on player agency, and the desire to create the “most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game” also doesn’t hurt.
There have been some mixed opinions on her replacing Geralt, to which actor Doug Cockle responded, “Read the damn books.” Engineering production manager Jan Hermanowicz simply told GamesRadar that, “When the game will be out, you’ll be able to see for yourself and fully embrace her character, her story. And I think that will be the moment to make opinions and make the calls.”
Though the team has “showed her in various situations, two emotional states [that were] very distinct from one another,” Hermanowicz feels, “There are many, many more parts of her that we will show in the future.”
Of course, it will be a long wait, especially since CD Projekt RED confirmed that it won’t launch before 2027 at the earliest. Despite its tech demo running on a base PS5, The Witcher 4’s platforms (aside from PC) remain up in the air. Those worried about problems arising on consoles similar to Cyberpunk 2077 can rest assured, as the studio is embracing a “console first” development philosophy to hit 60 FPS. Head here for more details, and stay tuned for further updates.
