Witcher 4 UE5 tech demo revealed

The Witcher 4's recent State of Unreal 2025 tech demo showcased breathtaking visuals, but CD Projekt Red confirms it's simply a glimpse of what their engine can do - not necessarily what players will experience at launch. Let's dive into what the developers revealed about performance targets and technical breakthroughs.

The Witcher 4 State of Unreal 2025 Tech Demo

Smooth Performance Goals

The jaw-dropping technical demonstration achieved a buttery-smooth 60fps on standard PS5 hardware, though CDPR cautions this represents an optimization goal rather than a confirmed specification. Speaking with Eurogamer, a studio representative noted: "While we're targeting 60fps across platforms, we're still in the process of finalizing performance standards. Our partnership with Epic continues as we refine this ambitious open-world experience."

The developers are keen to avoid repeating the pre-launch hype cycle of Cyberpunk 2077, where early demonstrations set unrealistic expectations. "This tech demo highlights tools under development with Epic," clarified the spokesperson. "Final character models, environments, and overall presentation in the actual game may differ significantly."

Cutting-Edge Engine Showcase

The 14-minute presentation served as a masterclass in Unreal Engine 5.6 capabilities, featuring photorealistic environments and advanced rendering techniques. A dramatic monster ambush on a carriage transitioned seamlessly into controlled exploration with Ciri, demonstrating the engine's fluid streaming capabilities.

Particularly impressive was the demonstration of Kelpie, Ciri's horse companion, showcasing revolutionary "root motion movement" technology. The UE5 ML Deformer rendered authentic muscle movements beneath Kelpie's coat - a testament to the engine's next-gen character animation capabilities.

Key technological highlights included:

• Nanite Foliage for dense, performance-efficient vegetation
• Fast Geo Streaming enabling vast open-world loading
• MetaHuman AI Crowds with Mass Framework for realistic NPC behavior

The demo introduced fans to the previously unseen northern realm of Kovir, with Ciri visiting the mountain port town of Valdrest. While combat mechanics remain under wraps, the technical presentation successfully whetted appetites for this Unreal Engine 5-powered return to the Witcher universe.

The Witcher 4 is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, though CD Projekt Red has yet to announce a release window. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated next chapter in the Witcher saga.