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, stating that making Ciri the lead was a natural progression, building upon her established role in the novels and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He emphasized that this choice allows for fresh narrative exploration within the Witcher universe and Ciri's own story.

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga added that all will be revealed upon release, hinting at explanations regarding Geralt's fate and other characters' post-Witcher 3 storylines. She appealed to fans' passion for the series, suggesting the game itself will provide the best answer to the concerns.

While Ciri takes center stage, Geralt's return is confirmed. His voice actor revealed in August 2024 that Geralt will have 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 no specifics on current-gen console compatibility. While Kalemba confirmed development using Unreal Engine 5 and a custom build, targeting PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, he avoided concrete details about platform support. He suggested the reveal trailer serves as a "good benchmark" for the game's visual goals, implying that the final product may differ.

A New Development Approach

In a November 29th Eurogamer interview, CDPR's vice president of technology, Charles Tremblay, outlined a revised development strategy to prevent a repeat of the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues. This involves prioritizing development on lower-spec hardware (consoles) to ensure broader platform compatibility. Simultaneous PC and console release is likely, though supported consoles remain unconfirmed. Despite the lack of specifics, the developers assure fans that they're working to optimize the game for both low-spec consoles and high-end PCs.