CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's starring role in The Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about the game's current-gen console compatibility. Read on for the latest updates.
Addressing the Ciri Controversy
In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt as the protagonist. He admitted the team understood the concerns, given Geralt's popularity in the previous three games. However, Weber defended the decision, emphasizing that making Ciri the lead was a natural progression, building on her established presence in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He argued this choice opens exciting new narrative avenues within the Witcher universe.
Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that all will be revealed upon the game's release, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. She attributed any negative reactions to the passion fans hold for the series.
While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's return is confirmed. His voice actor revealed in August 2024 that Geralt will feature, albeit in a supporting role, alongside new and returning characters.
Console Compatibility Remains Unclear
In a separate December 18th interview with Eurogamer, director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber remained noncommittal about current-gen console support. While confirming the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, they avoided specifics regarding platform compatibility, stating only that they aim for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation support. They suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for their visual goals, implying it's not a fully representative showcase of the final product's graphics.
A New Development Approach
CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview that The Witcher 4's development prioritizes lower-spec hardware (like consoles) to ensure broader platform compatibility and avoid repeating the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. A simultaneous PC and console release is likely, though specific console support remains unannounced. Despite the lack of concrete details, the developers assure fans that they're working to optimize the game for both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.
