Witcher 4 Demo Reveals Characters, Locations & Secrets

Epic Games and CD Projekt Red unveiled a groundbreaking technical demonstration of The Witcher 4 during Unreal Fest Orlando this week. Built on Unreal Engine 5 with cutting-edge tools, this preview offers an exciting glimpse into the future of The Witcher franchise - showcasing potential locations, characters, and the overall atmosphere of Ciri's upcoming adventure.

1. The Demo is Not Gameplay

While the demo featured live controls, CD Projekt Red emphasizes this isn't actual gameplay. Cinematic Director Kajetan Kapuściński explains: "We created this demo to develop technologies that will power The Witcher 4. It demonstrates our artistic direction rather than representing final gameplay." Everything shown - from environmental details to character interactions - represents the studio's current vision but remains subject to change.

2. Visual Expectations

Running on a standard PS5 at 60fps, the demo's visual fidelity raised questions. Epic Games' Wyeth Johnson confirms: "The technology we're developing must meet player expectations across all hardware." Unreal Engine 5.6's optimizations help maintain high framerates without compromising quality. Kapuściński notes: "Achieving 60fps on base PS5 was itself a significant challenge that drove our optimization efforts."

3. Exploring Kovir

The demo showcases Kovir, a northern region rich in mineral resources. CD Projekt Red faced particular challenges with its dense forests. "The forest represents the soul of our franchise," says VP of Technology Charles Tremblay. The team utilized Unreal Engine's Nanite Foliage to create an unprecedentedly detailed natural environment without performance issues.

4. Meet Ciri's Steed Kelpie

Ciri rides Kelpie, a book-accurate black horse replacing Geralt's Roach. In lore, Kelpie can clear seven-foot obstacles - a significant improvement over Roach's notorious navigation troubles. Tremblay promises: "We're committed to making Kelpie feel like a perfect companion." The name potentially hints at aquatic abilities, aligning with its mythological water spirit origins.

5. Manticore Encounter

The demo features a manticore, a creature previously cut from The Witcher 3. Game Director Sebastian Kalemba explains: "We wanted to incorporate story elements even in this technical demo." This classic Witcher contract demonstrates CD Projekt Red's trademark blend of grounded storytelling and high fantasy.

6. Valdrest: A Lively Port Town

Valdrest showcases technical advancements in crowd simulation, housing over 300 distinct NPCs. The town features remarkable diversity in characters - from differently-abled individuals to unique family dynamics - all rendered with Unreal's metahuman technology for unprecedented realism.

7. World Reactivity

The demo emphasizes environmental responsiveness. Kalemba notes: "Character actions trigger chain reactions throughout the world." From physics-driven object interactions to NPC behavior reflecting Witchers' controversial reputation, these details create a believable, reactive environment.

8. Seamless Transitions

The team demonstrates completely seamless transitions between gameplay and cinematics, eliminating loading screens. Building on Cyberpunk 2077's achievements, this system maintains immersion while adapting to third-person perspective requirements.

9. Lan Exeter Reveal

The demo concludes with the first look at Lan Exeter, Kovir's canal-based winter capital briefly mentioned in previous games. This "fantasy Venice" features the royal Ensenada Palace and admirals' mansions along its Great Canal, hinting at key locations for the upcoming adventure.

10. The Future of RPGs

Kalemba describes this collaboration as pioneering "a new generation of open-world RPGs." Tremblay emphasizes: "Technology shouldn't obstruct storytelling - we want players to feel truly connected to this world." Johnson adds that Unreal Engine aims to remove creative limitations, allowing developers to realize their boldest visions.