The Witcher 4 Dev Explains How the Team Prepared to Work on the Long-Awaited Title

A Witcher 4 Genesis: How a Witcher 3 Side Quest Prepared the Development Team

The development of The Witcher 4, featuring Ciri in the lead role for a new trilogy, began surprisingly with a seemingly minor addition to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Two years prior to the Witcher 4's announcement, a side quest titled "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" was introduced. This wasn't just a simple addition; it served as a crucial onboarding experience for new members joining the Witcher 4 development team.

Initially released in May 2015, The Witcher 3 already featured Ciri as a playable character in certain segments. However, the December 2024 Game Awards trailer confirmed her starring role in the upcoming sequel. The "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" quest, released in late 2022, served a dual purpose: promoting the game's next-gen update and providing in-game justification for the armor worn by Henry Cavill in the Netflix series.

Philipp Webber, quest designer for The Witcher 3 and narrative director for Witcher 4, revealed on social media that this quest acted as an initiation for new team members. He described it as "the perfect start to getting back into the vibe," aligning perfectly with the March 2022 announcement of The Witcher 4. While pre-announcement planning undoubtedly existed, Webber's statement illuminates the practical steps taken to integrate new talent.

While Webber didn't name specific individuals, it's plausible that some team members transitioned from the Cyberpunk 2077 team, given its 2020 release. This timeline also fuels speculation about potential similarities between The Witcher 4's skill tree and that of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion. The "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" quest, therefore, served as more than just a game update; it was a vital stepping stone in the creation of the next chapter in the Witcher saga.