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
Addressing the Ciri Controversy
In a recent VGC interview (December 18th), narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of featuring Ciri as the lead, given Geralt's popularity in previous titles. He admitted understanding the concerns of fans attached to Geralt, calling it a "legitimate concern." However, Weber defended the decision, emphasizing that making Ciri the protagonist allows for exciting new narrative possibilities and represents a natural progression from her established role in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He stressed that the decision wasn't recent, but rather a long-term plan.
Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will provide all the necessary context, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. She emphasized that fan concerns stem from passion for the franchise and promised the game itself would be the ultimate answer.
While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's return is confirmed. His voice actor revealed last August that Geralt will appear, albeit in a supporting role, alongside new and returning characters. (See our related article for more details!) Further information and updates can be found in our dedicated Witcher 4 article.
Console Compatibility Remains Unclear
In a separate Eurogamer interview (December 18th), director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber discussed the game's engine and platform support. While confirming development using Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, they refrained from specifying which current-gen consoles will be supported. Kalemba stated that the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for their visual aspirations, implying that the final product may differ somewhat.
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 been altered to avoid repeating the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. The team is prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure cross-platform compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console releases are likely, though supported platforms remain unconfirmed. While specifics are still under wraps, CDPR assures fans that they are working to optimize the game for both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.
