Witcher 4 Ciri Controversy Addressed by Devs

CD Projekt Red addresses the controversy surrounding Ciri's starring role in The Witcher 4, while remaining tight-lipped about current-gen console compatibility. Read on for the latest updates.

Addressing the Ciri Controversy

In a December 18th interview with VGC, narrative director Phillipp Weber acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt as the protagonist. He admitted the team understood the concerns, given Geralt's popularity in previous titles. However, Weber defended the decision, emphasizing the opportunity to explore new narrative avenues with Ciri, a character already established as a secondary protagonist in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He framed Ciri's role as a natural progression of the series' narrative arc.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that the game's release will provide answers to lingering questions about Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. She acknowledged player concerns, attributing them to passion for the franchise and promising the game itself will be the ultimate clarification.

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 clarity on current-gen console compatibility. While Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, he declined to specify which platforms would support the game, stating only that they aim for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation compatibility. He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for their graphical aspirations, implying the final product may differ.

A New Development Approach

CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview a revised development strategy for The Witcher 4, aiming to avoid repeating the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. This involves prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure cross-platform compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console releases are likely, though supported platforms remain unconfirmed. Despite the lack of specifics, the developers assured fans of their commitment to supporting a wide range of hardware, from low-spec consoles to high-end PCs.