A Witcher 4 Genesis: How a Witcher 3 Side Quest Prepared the Team
The development of The Witcher 4, featuring Ciri in the lead role for a new trilogy, began surprisingly with a seemingly minor addition to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Two years prior to the game's reveal, a special side quest, "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow," was introduced. This wasn't just a simple addition; it served as a crucial onboarding experience for new members joining the Witcher 4 development team.
Initially released in May 2015, The Witcher 3 featured Ciri as a playable character in certain segments. However, the December 2024 Game Awards trailer confirmed her starring role in the upcoming sequel. The "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" quest, added in late 2022, served a dual purpose: promoting the game's next-gen update and providing in-game justification for the armor worn by Henry Cavill in the Netflix series.
Philipp Webber, former quest designer for The Witcher 3 and now narrative director for Witcher 4, revealed on social media that this quest acted as an initiation for new team members. He described it as "the perfect start to getting back into the vibe," perfectly aligning with the March 2022 announcement of The Witcher 4. While pre-announcement planning undoubtedly existed, Webber's statement highlights the practical, immersive way new talent was integrated into the project.
While Webber didn't name specific individuals, it's plausible that some team members transitioned from the Cyberpunk 2077 team, given its 2020 release. This timeline also fuels speculation about potential similarities between Witcher 4's skill tree and that of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion. The side quest, therefore, served not only as a narrative bridge but also as a crucial element in the team's preparation for the ambitious undertaking of The Witcher 4.
