Ciri's Legacy Explored in 'Witcher 4'

CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's role as the protagonist in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about the game's compatibility with current-generation consoles. Let's delve into the latest updates.

Witcher 4 Development Insights from CDPR

Addressing the Ciri Protagonist Controversy

In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt with Ciri. He admitted the shift is "controversial for some" given Geralt's popularity in previous titles. While acknowledging fans' attachment to Geralt as a "legitimate concern," Weber defended the decision, stating that focusing on Ciri allows for exciting narrative possibilities and represents a natural progression from previous games and novels where Ciri had a significant role. He emphasized that this wasn't a recent choice, but a strategic direction adopted long ago.

Weber further explained that Ciri's prominence in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt made her the logical choice to lead the narrative, opening up new avenues for exploring the Witcher universe and Ciri's character arc. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga reassured fans that all questions surrounding Geralt and other characters' fates will be answered in the game's story.

However, Geralt isn't entirely absent. His voice actor confirmed in August 2024 that he will appear, albeit in a supporting role. This allows for the introduction and development of both new and familiar characters in Witcher 4. For more details, refer to our previous articles on this topic.

Current-Gen Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

In a separate December 18th interview with Eurogamer, director Sebastian Kalemba and others confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5, alongside a custom build, in development. While they aim for cross-platform support (PC, Xbox, and PlayStation), specific details regarding current-gen console compatibility remain undisclosed. Kalemba suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the game's visual goals, implying that the final product may differ slightly from what's been shown.

A Revised Development Approach

CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, shared in a November 29th Eurogamer interview that the development process for Witcher 4 has been fundamentally altered to avoid repeating the issues experienced with Cyberpunk 2077's launch. The team is prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure smoother cross-platform performance and potentially a simultaneous PC and console release, although supported platforms are yet to be fully detailed. Despite the lack of specifics, CDPR assures fans of their commitment to delivering the game across a wide range of hardware.