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The Witcher 4: Everything We Know So Far
December 16, 2024The Game Awards 2024 showcased a jaw-dropping cinematic trailer for The Witcher 4, introducing fans to the next chapter of this legendary RPG series. This new instalment doesn’t just continue the saga—it reshapes it, centring on Ciri as the lead protagonist. After the monumental success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which sold over 50 million copies, CD Projekt Red aims to raise the bar once again, with a trilogy planned to span the next decade.
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When Can We Expect The Witcher 4?
While no official release date has been set, CD Projekt Red has hinted that The Witcher 4 won’t arrive until at least 2025. With over 400 developers working on the game, the studio is taking its time to ensure a polished experience, especially after the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077.
Geoff Keighley described the trailer as a glimpse into “the next decade of gaming,” emphasizing the long-term vision for this trilogy. With The Witcher 5 and The Witcher 6 already planned, fans are looking at a decade-spanning journey through the Continent.
Ciri Takes the Spotlight
Ciri’s transition from a supporting character to the lead is a natural evolution for the series. Game director Sebastian Kalemba shared that her “nuanced and rich character” offers endless storytelling opportunities. While The Witcher 3 explores her powers and personal struggles, The Witcher 4 promises to delve deeper into her journey.
Players can expect a focus on themes like identity, responsibility, and legacy. And while Geralt won’t be the central figure this time, his voice in the trailer hints at his presence, possibly as a mentor or guide.
A Fresh Engine for a New Adventure
The Witcher 4 will be the first game in the series to utilize Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant shift from CD Projekt Red’s proprietary RedEngine. The studio partnered with Epic Games to develop a custom version of Unreal Engine 5, which promises cutting-edge visuals and smoother development for future titles.
The trailer also revealed that the game is being developed on an unannounced Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU, teasing breathtaking graphics and possibly new tech innovations in gaming.
A New Trilogy, New Challenges
CD Projekt Red is committed to making The Witcher 4 more than just “The Witcher 3 in new clothing.” The studio has teased fresh gameplay mechanics, updated combat systems, and innovative storytelling techniques. While details remain scarce, the shift to Unreal Engine 5 opens doors for more dynamic environments, improved AI, and expansive open-world exploration.
The company has also implemented lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077’s launch. Internal demos for The Witcher 4 have been running since the start of development, ensuring smoother production and more robust console support from day one.
The Story So Far: A New Chapter in The Continent’s Lore
The Witcher 4 sets the stage for a new trilogy in the Continent’s sprawling lore. The trailer showcased a medallion from the School of the Lynx, sparking speculation about Ciri’s evolving role and the new characters players might meet. While the game will focus on Ciri, the larger narrative will weave in familiar elements from Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and the previous trilogy, creating a bridge between old fans and new players.
Platform Possibilities
CD Projekt Red has yet to confirm platforms for The Witcher 4, but PC is a given, particularly via the studio’s DRM-free store, GOG. By the time The Witcher 4 launches, next-gen consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and possibly Nintendo could redefine the gaming landscape. Fans can expect compatibility with current-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, but the potential for cloud streaming and new hardware cannot be ruled out.
What About Multiplayer?
While the Witcher series has traditionally focused on single-player narratives, fans are curious about potential multiplayer elements. CD Projekt Red has hinted at experimenting with multiplayer features in other projects, but whether this will carry over to The Witcher 4 remains unconfirmed.
Cyberpunk Lessons Shape The Witcher’s Future
The disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 taught CD Projekt Red valuable lessons about quality control and project management. Engineering director Colin Walder emphasized that The Witcher 4 is benefiting from these lessons, with a more deliberate development process and consistent internal testing.
Game director Sebastian Kalemba highlighted the team’s improved workflows, saying, “We are very mindfully defining the stages of production, ensuring the foundation is solid.” This new approach has boosted morale and confidence within the studio.
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