The Witcher 4 is presented to showcase the capabilities of the new generation of graphics engines

CD Projekt Red has taken a significant step in the development of its upcoming title, The Witcher 4, by switching from its RED Engine to Unreal Engine. This decision, deemed wise by the company, is based on Unreal’s capability as a versatile tool for multiple projects, according to Julian Girbig, senior technical animator at CD Projekt Red. During the State of Unreal showcase, Girbig expressed excitement about the possibilities offered by Unreal, stating that “the process of adapting to the new engine was truly enjoyable.”

A very technical showcase where we didn’t see the game itself

The development team evaluated several engines before opting for Unreal, and the decision was clear upon recognizing the potential of this technology for the future, especially to tackle multiple projects simultaneously. Despite the change, Girbig emphasizes that “nothing has been lost” in the transition, and that the experience gained with the RED Engine in the development of AAA games will be crucial to leverage the advantages of the new engine.

The Witcher 4 promises an impressive visual experience, as seen in the recent technical demonstration, which highlights the region of Kovir. This demo, while captivating, was developed with in-engine capabilities and should not be interpreted as a definitive indication of the final game, as warned by the game director, Sebastian Kalemba. “The demo reflects our ambitions for the game and our capabilities within the engine,” Kalemba stated.

With an environment that captures the essence of a raw medieval world, the advancements in The Witcher 4 include stunning details, such as the anatomy of horses and other distinctive elements of realism in the game. However, it is important to keep expectations at a reasonable level, as the demo is just a first look at the future title of the saga.

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