"Witcher 4 Director Clarifies: Ciri's Face Unchanged"

The director of *The Witcher 4* has stepped forward to clarify that a recently released video features the same in-game model of Ciri, dispelling rumors that her face had been altered. CD Projekt released a behind-the-scenes look at the cinematic reveal trailer for *The Witcher 4*, which included two brief clips showcasing Ciri's face up close at the 2:11 and 5:47 marks. Fans noticed slight variations in Ciri's facial appearance in these clips compared to the main trailer, leading to speculation and positive feedback from the community. Some even suggested that CD Projekt had changed Ciri's face in response to online criticism about her appearance in the reveal trailer.

However, game director Sebastian Kalemba took to social media to set the record straight. He stated that the behind-the-scenes video features the same in-game model of Ciri as seen in the original trailer, without any modifications. Kalemba explained that the clips are raw footage, lacking the cinematic enhancements such as facial animation, lighting, and virtual camera effects used in the reveal video. He emphasized that these variations are a normal part of the game development process, where a character's appearance can differ depending on the medium, whether it's a trailer, a 3D model, or in-game.

The excitement around Ciri's role in *The Witcher 4* is palpable, as this game marks the beginning of a new trilogy set after the events of *The Witcher 3*, with Ciri taking center stage as the protagonist instead of Geralt. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga told IGN that choosing Ciri was a "very organic, logical choice," highlighting her as an "amazing, layered character" who was always meant to lead the narrative forward. Kalemba added that Ciri's younger age allows for more freedom in defining her character, offering developers more room to explore her story.

Despite potential backlash from some fans regarding Ciri's role, both Mitręga and Kalemba reiterated that the decision to focus on Ciri was deliberate and well-considered. Kalemba emphasized the intention behind this choice, noting that discussions about Ciri's role as the protagonist began nearly a decade ago. He believes that Ciri's challenges and story provide the perfect foundation for an epic saga.

In a related interview, Geralt's voice actor Doug Cockle expressed his support for CD Projekt's decision to shift the focus to Ciri, citing the potential for an interesting narrative continuation based on events in the books. He encouraged fans to read the books and expressed excitement about seeing how the developers would bring Ciri's story to life.

For those eager to delve deeper into *The Witcher 4*, IGN offers exclusive content, including a trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt discussing how they plan to avoid a launch disaster similar to *Cyberpunk 2077*.