Ciri's Fate in Witcher 4: Devs Respond

CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's starring role in Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about current-gen console compatibility. This article summarizes the latest news and updates.

Witcher 4 Development Insights: Addressing the Ciri Controversy

The Ciri Protagonist Debate

In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt with Ciri as the protagonist. He recognized the strong attachment fans have to Geralt, calling concerns about this change "legitimate." However, Weber defended the decision, stating that making Ciri the lead allows for exciting new narrative possibilities within the Witcher universe and provides a fresh perspective on her character's journey. He emphasized that this decision wasn't recent, but rather a long-term plan.

Weber highlighted Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in previous novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, suggesting this role was a natural progression. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will provide answers to outstanding questions, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines.

While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's return is confirmed. His voice actor revealed in August 2024 that Geralt will feature, albeit in a supporting role, alongside new and returning characters.

Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

A December 18th Eurogamer interview with director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber offered little clarification on current-gen console support. While Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, along with a commitment to PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms, specific details remained elusive. He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the game's visual aspirations, implying that the final product may differ somewhat.

A New Development Approach

In a November 29th Eurogamer interview, CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, outlined a revised development strategy designed to prevent a repeat of the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. This involves prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure cross-platform compatibility. A simultaneous PC and console release is likely, though supported platforms remain unconfirmed. Despite the lack of concrete details, the developers assure fans that they are working towards broad platform support, encompassing both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.