CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's protagonist role in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about current-gen console compatibility. Here's a breakdown of the recent news.

Witcher 4 Development Insights: Addressing the Ciri Controversy

Ciri's Protagonist Role: A Controversial Choice?

In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential controversy of featuring Ciri as the lead, given Geralt's popularity in previous installments. While understanding fans' attachment to Geralt, Weber defended the decision, stating that it allows for exciting new narrative avenues within the Witcher universe and for Ciri's character development beyond The Witcher 3. He emphasized that this wasn't a recent decision, but a long-term plan.

Weber highlighted Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in the novels and The Witcher 3, framing her lead role as a natural progression. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will provide further clarification, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines.

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 returning characters.

Witcher 4 Technical Specifications: Still Under Wraps

A December 18th Eurogamer interview with director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber offered little concrete information regarding current-gen console compatibility. While Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, along with a commitment to supporting PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms, specifics remained elusive. He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the game's visual aspirations, implying a potential difference between the trailer's visuals and the final product.

A New Development Approach

In a November 29th Eurogamer interview, CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, detailed a revised development strategy aimed at preventing a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch. This includes prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure broader platform compatibility and a simultaneous PC and console release (though supported consoles remain unconfirmed). Despite the lack of specifics, the developers assure fans that they are working diligently to ensure the game's availability across a wide range of platforms, from low-spec consoles to high-end PCs.