You won't have to look at Geralt the same way as before. "The Witcher 4" is in a league of its own after Epic Games and CD Projekt Red joined forces to provide fans with an eye-popping first glimpse of the upcoming game.
The 10-minute tech demo was all created using Unreal Engine 5. If you're a fan of open-world RPGs, this is beyond the expectations of your usual open-world games. It's simply a huge upgrade when it comes to new worlds, characters, and in-game environments.
Running at a consistent 60 FPS with ray tracing on a base PlayStation 5, the tech demo is a huge improvement, not only for The Witcher series but for the game development industry as a whole.
Meet Kovir in the Witcher World
According to CD Projekt Red, the demo is set in the north of Kovir, a completely new environment making its debut in the series. Familiar with lore as being rich and politically powerful, Kovir provides an opulent setting with snow-covered mountains, dense forests, and populous settlements.
Though the video is not actual gameplay, it is proof of technical vision for the new Witcher saga. CD Projekt Red is adamant that this is a "deep dive into the technological foundation," and actual gameplay could be different when the game arrives.
Ciri Takes the Lead in a Rich, Reactive World
The demo verifies Ciri as the protagonist, with her traversing mountainous landscapes, boarding her horse Kelpie, and riding into the colorful port town of Valdrest. One of the best features shows a scene with more than 300 fully animated NPCs, each performing routines and responding to the environment.
Gadgets 360 praised the sheer power of Unreal Engine 5's Nanite Foliage. With ultra-detailed vegetation and landscape, exploring the big map is almost photorealistic in its presentation.
The Magic Makers: Unreal Engine 5.6
This is not only a teaser for fans; it's also a strong message to developers. CD Projekt Red and Epic Games both confirmed that most of the tools revealed will be accessible to all UE5 developers with the launch of Unreal Engine 5.6.
These encompass improvements in open-world rendering, AI NPC behavior, and sophisticated lighting systems, all of which aim to deliver a more immersive and seamless gaming experience.
CDPR Envisions it as the Most Immersive Witcher Game Ever
As CD Projekt Red says, "The Witcher 4" will be their "most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game ever." The presentation ended with a quick glance at Lan Exeter, Kovir's winter capital and another important city within Kovir, foretelling the enormous scope and political scheming in store.
Even though it made its official reveal during The Game Awards 2024 with a cinematic trailer, CD Projekt Red has made it official that "The Witcher 4" will not be releasing before 2027. Slowly but surely, this meticulous approach is indicative of the studio's dedication to creating a game that isn't only up to par but sets a new bar.
