CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's starring role in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about the game's compatibility with current-generation consoles. Read on for the latest updates.

Witcher 4 Development Insights from CDPR

Ciri's Protagonist Role: A Controversial Choice?

In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential controversy of replacing Geralt with Ciri as the protagonist. He admitted the strong attachment fans have to Geralt, calling it a "legitimate concern." However, Weber defended the decision, stating that showcasing Ciri's story is the right creative direction. He emphasized that this decision wasn't recent, but rather a long-term strategy to explore new facets of the Witcher universe and Ciri's character arc following The Witcher 3.

Weber highlighted Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in the novels and The Witcher 3, framing her central role as a natural progression. He further suggested that this choice opens up exciting narrative possibilities. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will provide clarity, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines.

While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's return is confirmed. His voice actor revealed in August 2024 that Geralt will feature, albeit in a supporting role. This allows for the introduction and development of both new and familiar characters.

Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

A December 18th Eurogamer interview with director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber offered little clarification on current-gen console compatibility. While Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, he refrained from specifying which platforms would support the game, stating only that they aim for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation compatibility. He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for their visual aspirations, implying that the final product may share similarities but won't perfectly match the trailer's visuals.

A New Development Approach

In a November 29th Eurogamer interview, CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, detailed a revised development strategy for Witcher 4, aiming to avoid the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. This involves focusing on lower-spec hardware, such as consoles, during development to ensure smoother cross-platform performance. While simultaneous PC and console release is likely, the specific supported consoles remain unannounced. Despite the lack of concrete details, CDPR assures fans that they are striving for broad platform support, encompassing both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.