Ciri's Future in Witcher 4 Explored

CD Projekt Red Addresses Fan Concerns Regarding The Witcher 4

Recent interviews shed light on the development of The Witcher 4, addressing the controversy surrounding Ciri's protagonist role and clarifying (somewhat) the game's platform compatibility.

Ciri's Protagonist Role: A Calculated Risk

Narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash from making Ciri, rather than Geralt, the lead in a VGC interview on December 18th. He recognized fans' strong attachment to Geralt, calling it a "legitimate concern." However, Weber defended the decision, highlighting Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in previous games and novels. He argued that this choice allows for fresh narrative exploration within the Witcher universe and Ciri's own character arc.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's narrative will provide answers regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' storylines post-The Witcher 3. She emphasized that the game itself would be the ultimate response to fan concerns. While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's voice actor confirmed in August 2024 that Geralt will still feature in the game, albeit in a supporting role.

Platform Compatibility: Details Remain Elusive

In a separate Eurogamer interview (also on December 18th), director Sebastian Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, aiming for broad platform support across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. However, he refrained from specifying which console generations will be supported. He indicated that the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the game's visual aspirations, but doesn't represent the final product.

A New Development Approach

CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, detailed a revised development strategy in a November 29th Eurogamer interview. To avoid repeating the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues, the team is prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure broader compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console releases are likely, although supported platforms remain unconfirmed.

While some questions remain unanswered, CD Projekt Red's commitment to delivering The Witcher 4 across multiple platforms is clear, even if the precise details are yet to be revealed.