Ciri's Fate in Witcher 4: Resolution from Developers

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 backlash of replacing Geralt with Ciri. He recognized fans' strong attachment to Geralt, calling concerns about the change "legitimate." However, Weber defended the decision, stating that making Ciri the protagonist allows for exciting new narrative avenues within the Witcher universe. He emphasized that this wasn't a recent decision, but rather a long-term plan stemming from Ciri's established role in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The developers view it as a natural progression of the series.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will provide answers to lingering questions, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. She emphasized that the team understands and respects fan opinions, suggesting the final product will be the ultimate justification for their choice.

Geralt's return is confirmed, albeit in a supporting role, according to Geralt's voice actor in August 2024. This allows for the introduction of new and returning characters.

Console Compatibility Remains Uncertain

A December 18th Eurogamer interview with director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber shed little light on current-gen console compatibility. While Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, he avoided specifics regarding platform support, only stating their intention to support PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. He indicated that the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for their visual goals, implying the final product may differ.

A New Development Approach

CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview a revised development strategy for Witcher 4, aiming to avoid the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. This involves developing on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure cross-platform compatibility. A simultaneous PC and console release is likely, though supported platforms remain unconfirmed. The developers are committed to supporting both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.