Ciri's Role in Witcher 4 Clarified by Devs

CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's starring 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 acknowledges the potential backlash of making Ciri the protagonist, given Geralt's popularity in previous installments. He admits the decision "could be controversial," understanding fans' attachment to Geralt.

Despite this, Weber defends the choice, stating it was a natural progression from Ciri's established role in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He emphasizes the opportunity to explore new facets of the Witcher universe and Ciri's character.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga assures fans that the narrative choices will be justified in the game's release, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. She emphasizes that the criticism stems from the passion of the fanbase, and the game itself will provide the ultimate answer.

However, Geralt's absence isn't complete. His voice actor confirmed in August 2024 that he will appear, though in a supporting role. This allows for the introduction and development of new and returning characters.

For further details on these developments, please refer to our dedicated Witcher 4 articles.

Current-Gen Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

In a separate December 18th Eurogamer interview, 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 remained vague about current-gen console compatibility. Kalemba stated that they aim for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation support but offered no specifics.

He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for their visual aspirations, implying the final product may differ slightly from the trailer's visuals.

A Revised 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 adjusted to avoid repeating the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. The team is now prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure smoother cross-platform compatibility and a simultaneous PC and console release. However, the specific consoles supported remain unannounced.

While details are scarce, CDPR assures fans that they are working to optimize the game for both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.