CD Projekt Red has officially teased The Witcher 4 during the State of Unreal 2025 event, unveiling a jaw-dropping tech demo powered by Unreal Engine 5.6. Running on a standard PlayStation 5, the showcase revealed stunning next-gen visuals, real-time ray tracing, and a deeply interactive open world, solidifying The Witcher 4 as one of the most anticipated fantasy RPGs of the decade.
- 🎮 First Look: Seamless Transition from Cinematic to Gameplay
- 🕹 Witcher 4 Runs on PS5 with Ray Tracing Enabled
- 🐴 Introducing Kelpie: Next-Level Physics in Action
- 🌲 Unreal Engine 5.6 Brings Environments to Life
- 🏙 Living World: Ciri Explores a Bustling Port Town
- 📅 Release Date: Witcher 4 Not Arriving Before 2026
- 🧩 The Bigger Witcher Universe: Remake and Multiplayer in Development
- 🕹 Could The Witcher 4 Launch With the Next Console Generation?
- 📌 FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About The Witcher 4
🎮 First Look: Seamless Transition from Cinematic to Gameplay
The tech demo began with a cinematic cutscene that showed a carriage being attacked by a winged monster. Without a single loading screen or cut, the scene transitioned into real-time gameplay, where players took control of Ciri, the new protagonist. This seamless transition between cinematic and gameplay elements highlights CD Projekt Red’s focus on next-gen storytelling and immersion.
🕹 Witcher 4 Runs on PS5 with Ray Tracing Enabled
According to a report by Polygon, the entire demo was running on PlayStation 5 hardware with ray tracing fully enabled. This confirms that The Witcher 4 will be optimized for current-gen consoles, leveraging the full power of the PS5 to deliver an immersive, high-fidelity experience.
🐴 Introducing Kelpie: Next-Level Physics in Action
A major highlight of the demo was Kelpie, Ciri’s loyal horse companion. The animation showcased incredibly lifelike movement—muscles flexed, weight shifted realistically, and the stallion reacted naturally to the terrain. Ciri’s own outfit, a red-and-black ensemble, even matched Kelpie’s saddle, underlining CDPR’s attention to cohesive design.
🌲 Unreal Engine 5.6 Brings Environments to Life
Thanks to Nanite foliage and next-gen rendering tech, the game’s world looked photorealistic and alive. Trees, grass, and even underbrush were rendered with astonishing clarity and a near-infinite draw distance. Whether riding through forests or ruins, the environmental realism pulled viewers deeper into the Witcher universe.
🏙 Living World: Ciri Explores a Bustling Port Town
The demo showcased Ciri navigating a crowded port marketplace, filled with lively NPCs. From a bear performing for an audience to characters reacting dynamically to Ciri’s presence, the world felt truly alive. In one scripted event, Ciri bumped into a vendor, spilling apples and sparking a brief exchange—just one example of the game’s deep interactivity.
Even small gestures, like donating coins to beggars, further enrich the immersive storytelling.
📅 Release Date: Witcher 4 Not Arriving Before 2026
CD Projekt Red confirmed that The Witcher 4 is still in development and will not launch before 2026. First revealed at The Game Awards 2024, the title kicks off a brand-new trilogy. With Ciri taking over as the lead, the series moves in a bold narrative direction, leaving behind long-time hero Geralt of Rivia.
🧩 The Bigger Witcher Universe: Remake and Multiplayer in Development
The Witcher 4 is just one piece of a larger roadmap. CDPR is also working on a remake of the original 2007 Witcher game and a multiplayer title codenamed Project Sirius, developed by Boston-based The Molasses Flood. These projects aim to expand the Witcher universe beyond single-player RPGs.
🕹 Could The Witcher 4 Launch With the Next Console Generation?
Industry reports suggest that Microsoft could release its next-gen Xbox by 2027, raising speculation that The Witcher 4 could become a cross-generational title. Whether on PS5 or future platforms, this release could mark a turning point for fantasy RPGs on console.
📌 FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About The Witcher 4
🗓 When is The Witcher 4 releasing?
CD Projekt Red has stated that The Witcher 4 will not release before 2026.
🎮 What engine is The Witcher 4 built on?
The game is powered by Unreal Engine 5.6, offering features like Nanite foliage, ray tracing, and next-gen physics.
👸 Who is the main character in The Witcher 4?
Ciri is the new protagonist, taking over the mantle from Geralt of Rivia.
🐴 Who is Kelpie in The Witcher 4?
Kelpie is Ciri’s horse companion, showcasing enhanced animation and realistic movement via a revamped physics engine.
🎮 Will The Witcher 4 be on PS5?
Yes, the demo was running on a standard PlayStation 5, optimized with ray tracing and current-gen features.
🧙 Is this the start of a new trilogy?
Yes. CD Projekt Red confirmed that The Witcher 4 will kick off a new trilogy in the franchise.
