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
Ciri's Protagonist Role: A Controversial Choice?
In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential controversy of featuring Ciri as the lead, given Geralt's prominence in previous titles. He admitted understanding fans' attachment to Geralt, calling it a "legitimate concern." However, Weber defended the decision, stating that making Ciri the protagonist allows for exciting new narrative avenues within the Witcher universe and provides an opportunity to explore her character's development beyond The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He emphasized that this decision wasn't recent, but rather a long-term plan.
Weber highlighted Ciri's established role as a secondary protagonist in the novels and The Witcher 3, framing her leading role as a natural progression. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that all questions regarding the narrative, including Geralt's fate and the fates of other characters, will be answered in the game itself.
While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's return is confirmed. His voice actor revealed in August 2024 that Geralt will appear, albeit in a supporting role. This allows for the introduction and development of both new and returning characters.
Current-Gen Console Compatibility Remains Unclear
In a separate December 18th Eurogamer interview, director Sebastian Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, alongside Epic Games' engineers. While a cross-platform release (PC, Xbox, and PlayStation) is intended, specific console compatibility details remain undisclosed. Kalemba indicated that the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the team's visual goals, but it doesn't represent the final game's graphics.
A New Development Approach
CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview that the development process for Witcher 4 has shifted to avoid repeating the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. The team is prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure broader compatibility and a simultaneous PC and console release. However, the exact supported consoles remain unannounced. Despite the lack of specifics, the developers assure fans that they're working to ensure the game runs smoothly across a wide range of platforms, from low-spec consoles to high-end PCs.
