CD Projekt has shared insights behind prioritizing a "console-first" development strategy for the highly anticipated The Witcher 4, shifting from their traditional PC-focused approach.
Earlier this month, CD Projekt unveiled an impressive The Witcher 4 tech demo powered by Unreal Engine 5, offering fans a glimpse into the game's direction.
The PlayStation 5 demo runs at 60fps, following Ciri through the uncharted territory of Kovir during a monster hunt. Its exceptional detail showcases fluid animations surpassing current-gen console standards. Particularly striking are Ciri's dynamic interactions with her horse Kelpie, NPCs, and the environment as they traverse Kovir's mountains toward Valdrest port. A marketplace scene features 300 uniquely animated NPCs, culminating with the first look at Lan Exeter - Kovir's winter capital and major port city.
Speaking with Digital Foundry, CDPR's VP of Technology Charles Tremblay explained their decision to showcase the PS5 demo first, marking a strategic shift toward console-first development. "Previously we'd optimize for PC then scale down," he noted, "but past challenges led us to prioritize consoles this time."
This references Cyberpunk 2077's troubled 2020 launch, where performance issues prompted Sony's temporary removal from PlayStation Store and mass refunds. CD Projekt later acknowledged insufficient optimization for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
After years refining Cyberpunk 2077 into a commercial success - even launching smoothly on Switch 2 - CD Projekt aims to avoid repeating mistakes with The Witcher 4's planned 2027 release.
The Witcher 4 Unreal Engine 5 Tech Demo Screenshots
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Global Art Director Jakub Knapik emphasized the logic behind establishing console foundations first: "It's easier to scale up than down. Once we set technical and visual baselines, we'll expand - though pushing PC limits remains core to CDPR's creative process."
Tremblay reassured PC gamers: "We'll ensure hardware investments are justified through premium experiences. Though PC optimization specifics remain premature."
The Xbox Series S presents particular challenges for maintaining 60fps. Tremblay admitted hitting this target will be "extremely challenging," noting: "This remains unresolved but becomes our next priority."
While the tech demo reflects CD Projekt's ambitions rather than final gameplay, it signals their commitment to avoiding past technical pitfalls with The Witcher 4.
