Ciri's Role in The Witcher 4 Clarified by Developers

Developers of The Witcher 4 have responded to the debate surrounding Ciri's potential role as the protagonist, though it remains uncertain whether the game will run on current-generation consoles. Continue reading for further details on these developments.

Witcher 4 Developers Provide Insights into Game Development

Clarifying the Debate on Ciri's Lead Role

During a December 18 interview with VGC, The Witcher 4's narrative director, Phillipp Weber, recognized that casting Ciri as the main character could spark debate.

The controversy centers on the expectation that Geralt would remain the series' protagonist. "We anticipated it might be contentious for some players because Geralt has been the central character across the three previous Witcher games and is widely beloved," Weber explained.

While he shares a fondness for Geralt and understands the concern, Weber believes selecting Ciri is the correct path forward. "Our main objective is to demonstrate that Ciri's story allows us to explore compelling new directions, making this choice worthwhile. This decision wasn't made lightly—it's been in the works for a considerable time," he elaborated.

Weber further justified the decision, noting that Ciri had already been positioned as a secondary protagonist in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. For the team, this move represents "a natural progression of the narrative we've been building over the years," confirming that the direction was set long ago. He also stated that this choice enables the developers to delve deeper into the Witcher universe and Ciri's personal journey beyond the last game.

In the same conversation, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga reassured fans that all questions will be addressed upon the game's launch, suggesting that players may learn what transpired with Geralt and other characters after The Witcher 3. "We respect everyone's viewpoint, which we see as rooted in passion for our games. The best response we can offer will be the game itself when it releases."

However, Geralt fans need not worry entirely, as the character will still appear in the upcoming title. Geralt’s voice actor confirmed in August 2024 that he will return, albeit in a more limited capacity, making room for both new and returning characters in The Witcher 4. Check out our dedicated article for additional insights on this announcement!

Additionally, our Witcher 4 coverage page offers more information and the latest updates!

Technical Requirements for Witcher 4 Still Unconfirmed

Weber and The Witcher 4 director Sebastian Kalemba also spoke with Eurogamer on December 18, addressing whether current-generation consoles can support the game. However, they stopped short of providing specific technical details.

"We are currently developing a new engine in close collaboration with Epic's engineers, and the partnership has been highly productive," Kalemba noted. "Our current focus is on Unreal Engine 5 and our custom build. While our aim is to support all major platforms—PC, Xbox, and PlayStation—I cannot share more specifics at this time."

Kalemba added that the reveal trailer serves as a "solid benchmark" for the team's visual and performance goals. This suggests the trailer may not depict final in-game graphics, though the final product could resemble what was shown at the recent Game Awards.

A New Direction for The Witcher 4 Development

In a separate Eurogamer interview on November 29, CD Projekt Red's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, explained that the studio has adjusted its development strategy for The Witcher 4 to prevent a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's launch issues.

To achieve this, the team is prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware, such as consoles, to help ensure the game performs well across various platforms with minimal technical problems. A simultaneous release on PC and consoles is also being considered, though the exact console lineup has yet to be finalized.

Although developers are still cautious about confirming which platforms will support the game, they have committed to optimizing for both entry-level consoles and high-end PCs, aiming for broad accessibility.