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. Here's a breakdown of the latest news.
Witcher 4 Development Insights: Addressing Fan Concerns
Ciri's Protagonist Role: A Controversial Choice?
In a recent VGC interview (December 18th), narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt with Ciri. He admitted the team understood the concerns, given Geralt's popularity in the previous three games. However, Weber defended the decision, emphasizing their aim to showcase Ciri's potential and deliver a compelling narrative. The choice, he explained, wasn't a recent one; it's been a long-term plan.
Weber justified the choice by highlighting Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in the novels and Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This, he argued, made Ciri's central role a natural progression. The decision also allows for fresh explorations of the Witcher universe and Ciri's character arc.
Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that all questions will be answered upon release, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. She acknowledged fan concerns but emphasized that the game itself will ultimately provide the best answers.
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, alongside new and returning characters. For more details, check out our dedicated article! You can also find further information and updates on our main Witcher 4 article.
Console Compatibility: Still Unclear
In a separate Eurogamer interview (December 18th), director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber discussed current-gen console compatibility, but offered no specifics. Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, stating their intention to support PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, but declined to elaborate further. He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "benchmark" for their visual goals, clarifying it's not a perfect representation of 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 Witcher 4's development strategy has shifted to prevent a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch. They're prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure broader platform compatibility. A simultaneous PC and console release is likely, though supported platforms remain unconfirmed. While specifics are scarce, the developers assure fans that they're working to optimize the game for both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.
