CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's protagonist role in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about current-gen console compatibility. Read on for the latest updates.
Witcher 4 Development Insights from CDPR
Addressing the Ciri Controversy
In a recent VGC interview (December 18th), narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt with Ciri. He recognized the strong player attachment to Geralt, calling concerns about the change "legitimate." However, Weber defended the decision, stating that making Ciri the protagonist was a natural progression from her established role in previous games and novels, and allows for fresh exploration of the Witcher universe and Ciri's character arc.
Weber emphasized that this decision wasn't made hastily, and the team aims to justify the choice through compelling gameplay and narrative. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will provide answers to lingering questions about Geralt's fate and other characters' storylines. She assured fans that the decision stems from a passion for the franchise and that the game itself will be the ultimate answer.
While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's return is confirmed. Geralt's voice actor revealed in August 2024 that he'll appear, albeit in a supporting role, alongside new and returning characters.
For more details, check out our dedicated Witcher 4 articles!
Console Compatibility Remains Unclear
In a separate Eurogamer interview (December 18th), director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber discussed the game's engine and platform support. While confirming the use of Unreal Engine 5 with custom modifications, they refrained from specifying which current-gen consoles will be supported, only stating their aim is to support PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Kalemba indicated that the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the game's visual goals, but doesn't represent the final product.
A New Development Approach
CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview a revised development strategy for Witcher 4, designed to prevent a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch. The team is prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure cross-platform compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console releases are planned, though specific console support remains unconfirmed. Despite the lack of concrete details, CDPR assures fans that they are committed to bringing the game to a wide range of platforms, from low-spec consoles to high-end PCs.
