Witcher 4 Ciri Controversy Addressed by Devs

CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's protagonist role in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about current-gen console compatibility. This article delves into the latest news and updates.

Witcher 4 Development Insights: Addressing Fan Concerns

Ciri's Protagonist Role: A Controversial Choice?

In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledges the potential controversy of featuring Ciri as the lead, given Geralt's prominent role in previous installments. He recognizes fans' attachment to Geralt, calling it a "legitimate concern." However, Weber defends the decision, stating that it allows for unique storytelling opportunities and represents a natural progression from Ciri's established presence in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The choice, he explains, was made long ago, paving the way to explore new facets of the Witcher universe and Ciri's character arc.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga assures fans 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 emphasizes that fan concerns stem from passion for the franchise and promises the game itself will provide the best answers.

Geralt's return is confirmed, albeit in a supporting role, as revealed by his voice actor in August 2024. This allows for the introduction of new and returning characters within the Witcher 4 narrative. Further details on this can be found in our dedicated Witcher 4 article.

Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

In a separate December 18th interview with Eurogamer, director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber discuss the game's engine (a custom build of Unreal Engine 5) and platform support. While confirming their intention to release on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, they refrain from specifying which current-gen consoles will be supported. Kalemba suggests the reveal trailer serves as a benchmark for their graphical aspirations, 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 a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's launch issues. This involves developing primarily on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure cross-platform compatibility. A simultaneous PC and console release is likely, though supported consoles remain unconfirmed. Despite the lack of concrete details, the developers assure fans of their commitment to supporting a wide range of platforms, from low-spec consoles to high-end PCs.