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. Read on for the latest updates.

Witcher 4 Development Insights from CDPR

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. He admitted understanding the concerns, stating, "We knew it could be controversial... everyone loved playing as Geralt."

Despite this, Weber defended the decision, emphasizing the opportunity to explore new narrative avenues within the Witcher universe and delve deeper into Ciri's character arc following The Witcher 3. He highlighted Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in the novels and The Witcher 3, framing the choice as a natural progression.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga further reassured fans, promising clarification upon release, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. "The best answer... will be the game itself," she stated.

However, Geralt's absence isn't complete. His voice actor confirmed in August 2024 a supporting role for Geralt, alongside new and returning characters.

For more details, see our dedicated Witcher 4 articles!

Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

A December 18th Eurogamer interview with director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber offered little clarity on current-gen console support. While Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, he avoided specifics regarding platform compatibility, stating a desire to support PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, but offering no concrete details.

He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for visual aspirations, implying it's not a fully representative depiction of the final game's graphics.

A New Development Approach

In a November 29th Eurogamer interview, CDPR's VP of technology, Charles Tremblay, outlined a revised development strategy for Witcher 4, aiming to avoid the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. This involves prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure broader platform compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console release is likely, although supported consoles remain unconfirmed. While specifics are still under wraps, CDPR reassures fans of their commitment to supporting both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.