The release date for The Witcher 4 has not yet been revealed, but a new demo presented by CD Projekt Red has generated expectations about what players can expect from the title. During Epic’s showcase of Unreal Engine 5.6, a trailer was shown that marks the first time the studio will use this engine, abandoning its previous REDengine, which had been the foundation for the previous installments of the series.
Let’s not be complacent with these graphs
The demo, which runs at 60 fps on a standard PlayStation 5, began with a cinematic trailer showing a cart being attacked by a manticore, followed by a real-time demonstration set in Kovir, a mountainous region that will be a new context for the saga. The story will partially unfold in Kovir and its capital, Lan Exeter, an environment that promises to significantly differ from the previous locations explored in the series’ games.
One of the most notable features of the demo is the improvement in interaction with NPCs and a new animation system, which aims to create a more immersive environment. Unreal technology allows for more than 300 animated characters to appear on screen simultaneously, which raises the level of realism in interactions within the game. In this sense, Ciri was shown interacting with a vendor, causing some apples to fall to the ground, illustrating how the game’s animations will be more fluid and natural.
Despite the impressive technical features, Sebastian Kalemba, the game’s director, advised moderating expectations about the final appearance of the game. It is important to remember that The Witcher 3 faced criticism for a graphical downgrade after its release, which invites consideration of the demo not as an indication of the final product, but as an aspirational representation of the ideas that will guide its development.