Witcher 4 Ciri Controversy Addressed by Devs

CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's starring role in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about current-gen console compatibility. Here's a breakdown of the latest news.

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 acknowledged the potential backlash of choosing Ciri as the lead, given Geralt's popularity in previous installments. Weber admitted, "We knew it could be controversial...everyone loved playing as Geralt."

While acknowledging fans' attachment to Geralt, Weber defended the decision, stating that showcasing Ciri's story allows for exciting new narrative possibilities within the Witcher universe. He emphasized that this decision wasn't recent, but rather a long-term plan stemming from Ciri's established role in the novels and Witcher 3. This choice, he argued, provides a natural progression of the established narrative.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game itself will provide the best explanation for the creative direction, hinting at revelations concerning Geralt and other characters' fates following Witcher 3's events. She reassured fans that the decision stemmed from a genuine passion for the franchise.

However, Geralt isn't entirely absent. His voice actor confirmed in August 2024 that he will appear, albeit in a supporting role, alongside new and returning characters. For more details, see our previous article on this topic! Further updates and information can be found in our dedicated Witcher 4 article.

Witcher 4 Technical Specifications: Still Under Wraps

In a separate December 18th Eurogamer interview, director Sebastian Kalemba and others confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5, alongside a custom build, but offered no specifics on current-gen console compatibility. Kalemba stated that while aiming for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation support, concrete details remain unavailable. He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a general benchmark for their graphical aspirations.

A New Development Approach

CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview that their development approach for Witcher 4 has shifted to prevent a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's launch issues. The team is focusing on developing for lower-spec hardware (consoles) first to ensure broader platform compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console releases are likely, though supported platforms remain unconfirmed.

While details regarding platform support remain scarce, developers assure fans that both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs are being considered to maximize accessibility.