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. Let's dive into the latest news.

Addressing the Ciri Controversy

Narrative Director Phillipp Weber, in a December 18th interview with VGC, acknowledged the potential backlash of replacing Geralt as the protagonist. He understands the strong attachment fans have to Geralt, calling it a "legitimate concern." However, Weber firmly believes that choosing Ciri is the right creative direction. He emphasizes that this decision, made long ago, allows for unique storytelling opportunities and a fresh perspective within the Witcher universe. The team aims to prove the merits of this choice through the game itself.

Weber points to Ciri's established presence as a secondary protagonist in previous novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, framing her lead role as a natural progression. He highlights the potential to explore new facets of the Witcher universe and Ciri's character arc. Executive Producer Małgorzata Mitręga assures fans that the narrative will provide answers regarding Geralt and other characters' fates after The Witcher 3, urging patience until the game's release.

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. For more details, check out our previous article! You can also find more information and the latest updates on our dedicated Witcher 4 article.

Console Compatibility Remains Unclear

In a separate December 18th interview with Eurogamer, Director Sebastian Kalemba and Phillipp Weber remained ambiguous about current-gen console compatibility. While Kalemba confirmed the use of Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, alongside collaboration with Epic Games engineers, he stopped short of specifying which platforms will support the game. He stated that the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for their visual goals, hinting that the final product may differ.

A New Development Approach

CD Projekt Red's Vice President of Technology, Charles Tremblay, revealed in a November 29th Eurogamer interview a revised development strategy aimed at avoiding a repeat of the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. The team is now prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware, like consoles, to ensure wider compatibility and a simultaneous release across PC and consoles. However, details on specific console support remain undisclosed.

While CD Projekt Red remains cautious about revealing platform specifics, they assure fans that they are working to support both lower-end consoles and high-end PCs, aiming for broad accessibility.