The developers of Witcher 4 have recently tackled the controversy surrounding the decision to make Ciri the protagonist, while also addressing uncertainties about the game's compatibility with current-gen consoles. Dive into the latest updates and insights about the game's development.
Witcher 4 Devs Shared Some Insights About the Game’s Development
Addressed Controversy About Ciri’s Lead Role
In an interview with VGC on December 18, Phillipp Weber, the narrative director for Witcher 4, acknowledged the potential controversy over choosing Ciri as the protagonist. "I think we definitely knew it could be controversial for some people because, of course, in the previous three Witcher games, Geralt was the protagonist, and I think everyone really loved playing as Geralt," Weber explained. Despite his attachment to Geralt, he believes that Ciri's role is the right choice for the game's narrative direction.
Weber justified this decision by highlighting Ciri's established presence as a second protagonist in both the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. "It was the natural evolution of what we’ve been making for so long," he stated, emphasizing that the decision was made well in advance. This shift allows the team to explore new aspects of the Witcher universe and delve deeper into Ciri's story following the events of the last game.
Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will clarify the fates of Geralt and other characters, promising a comprehensive narrative experience. "Everyone has the right to have an opinion, and we do believe it comes from the passion for our games, and I think the best answer for that will be the game itself when it is released," she stated.
Fans of Geralt need not worry entirely, as his voice actor confirmed in August 2024 that Geralt will still appear in the game, albeit in a more minor role. This opens the door for both new and returning characters in The Witcher 4. For more details on this news, you can visit our dedicated article.
For the latest updates and more information on The Witcher 4, be sure to check out our comprehensive article.
Witcher 4 Technical Specifications Remain Unclear
In a separate interview with Eurogamer on December 18, Weber and Sebastian Kalemba, the director of Witcher 4, discussed the game's compatibility with current-gen consoles. They confirmed working on a new engine in collaboration with Epic's engineers, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build. "And obviously, we want to support all the platforms - meaning PC, Xbox, and Sony, right? - but I cannot, right now, tell you more specifics regarding that," Kalemba stated.
Kalemba also mentioned that the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the game's visual aspirations, though it may not reflect the final graphics.
Witcher 4 Devs New Approach
In an interview with Eurogamer on November 29, CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed a new development approach for The Witcher 4. This strategy aims to prevent issues similar to those experienced with Cyberpunk 2077's launch. The team is now developing on hardware with the "lowest" specifications, such as consoles, to ensure smooth performance across various platforms.
While it remains unclear which specific consoles will be supported, the developers are committed to making Witcher 4 accessible on both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs, ensuring a wide range of players can enjoy the game.
