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In March 2022, ] (CDPR) announced that they were working on a new game in '']'' series.{{r|Mar. 2022 Announcement}} By October, the studio revealed that it would serve as the first installment in a new trilogy.{{r|Oct. 2022 Investor Call}} Following the release of '']'' (2020), CDPR made structural changes to its production process, extending the pre-production phase to establish clear development stages and ensure cohesive designs for future projects, including the new ''Witcher'' game,{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} which remained in pre-production from May 2022 until November 2024, when full-scale development began.{{r|Pre-Production (IGN)|Full-Scale Production (SI)}} Internally, the game referred to by the codename ''Project Polaris''.{{r|Oct. 2022 Investor Call}} |
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In March 2022, ] (CDPR) announced that they were working on a new game in '']'' series.{{r|Mar. 2022 Announcement}} By October, the studio revealed that it would serve as the first installment in a new trilogy.{{r|Oct. 2022 Investor Call}} Following the release of '']'' (2020), CDPR made structural changes to its production process, extending the pre-production phase to establish clear development stages and ensure cohesive designs for future projects, including the new ''Witcher'' game,{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} which remained in pre-production from May 2022 until November 2024, when full-scale development began.{{r|Pre-Production (IGN)|Full-Scale Production (SI)}} Internally, the game referred to by the codename ''Project Polaris''.{{r|Oct. 2022 Investor Call}} |
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The developers aimed to ensure that the game would not contradict or "break" the established canon, regardless of the player's choices in '']'' (2015). CDPR also recognized that some players might be unfamiliar with the previous games and sought to design ''The Witcher IV'' as both a fresh entry point for newcomers and a continuation for longtime fans.{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} The studio has long considered the idea of a game where ], who appeared as a supporting, occasionally playable character in ''Wild Hunt'', serves as the main protagonist, describing her as a "very organic, logical choice".{{r|Ciri Choice (IGN)|Playable Ciri (IGN)}} Cian Maher, franchise and lore designer at CDPR, explained that "The Witcher as a title refers to both ] and Ciri and always has", with the latter being "arguably more important to the plot than Geralt himself". Unlike Geralt, a seasoned monster hunter throughout the series, Ciri is depicted in ''The Witcher IV'' as an aspiring monster hunter who is "about to form her own codex on her own terms".{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} ] reprises his role as Geralt in the game.{{r|Geralt Confirmed (IGN)}} |
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The developers aimed to ensure that the game would not contradict or "break" the established canon, regardless of the player's choices in '']'' (2015). CDPR also recognized that some players might be unfamiliar with the previous games and sought to design ''The Witcher IV'' as both a fresh entry point for newcomers and a continuation for longtime fans.{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} The studio has long considered the idea of a game where ], who appeared as a supporting, occasionally playable character in ''Wild Hunt'', serves as the main protagonist, describing her as a "very organic, logical choice".{{r|Ciri Choice (IGN)|Playable Ciri (IGN)}} Cian Maher, franchise and lore designer at CDPR, explained that "The Witcher as a title refers to both ] and Ciri and always has", with the latter being "arguably more important to the plot than Geralt himself". Unlike Geralt, a seasoned monster hunter throughout the series, Ciri is depicted in ''The Witcher IV'' as an aspiring monster hunter who is "about to form her own codex on her own terms".{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} Ciara Berkeley was cast as Ciri, replacing ], who voiced the character in ''Wild Hunt''.{{r|Berkeley (Gamer)}} ] will reprise his role as Geralt in the game.{{r|Cockle (IGN)}} |
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Game director Sebastian Kalemba emphasized that the developers aim to expand player agency by offering more options for both narrative and gameplay decisions, creating a more personalized experience. The studio wanted to enhance gameplay flexibility by drawing on their experience with ''Cyberpunk 2077'', particularly in aligning world exploration with improved coherence across main story missions, side quests, and ] activities.{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} The game is being developed using ], which CDPR adopted after transitioning away from their proprietary ]—the technology previously used for '']'' (2011) and ''Wild Hunt''.{{r|Mar. 2022 Announcement}} Unlike the development of ''Cyberpunk 2077'', the studio began testing the game on consoles early in production to avoid ].{{r|Console Testings (RPS)}} |
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Game director Sebastian Kalemba emphasized that the developers aim to expand player agency by offering more options for both narrative and gameplay decisions, creating a more personalized experience. The studio wanted to enhance gameplay flexibility by drawing on their experience with ''Cyberpunk 2077'', particularly in aligning world exploration with improved coherence across main story missions, side quests, and ] activities.{{r|2024 Feature (IGN)}} The game is being developed using ], which CDPR adopted after transitioning away from their proprietary ]—the technology previously used for '']'' (2011) and ''Wild Hunt''.{{r|Mar. 2022 Announcement}} Unlike the development of ''Cyberpunk 2077'', the studio began testing the game on consoles early in production to avoid ].{{r|Console Testings (RPS)}} |
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''The Witcher IV'' was announced with its debut trailer at ] in December 2024.{{r|TGA 2024 (Poly)}} The trailer was pre-rendered in-engine on an "unannounced" ] graphics card, rather than showcasing real-time rendered scenes.{{r|Unannounced GPU (PCG)}} Ciara Berkeley was cast as Ciri for the trailer, though CDPR did not specify whether Berkeley would portray the character in the game.{{r|Berkeley (Gamer)}} |
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''The Witcher IV'' was announced with its debut trailer at ] in December 2024.{{r|TGA 2024 (Poly)}} The trailer was pre-rendered in-engine on an "unannounced" ] graphics card, rather than showcasing real-time rendered scenes.{{r|Unannounced GPU (PCG)}} |
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== References == |
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== References == |
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<ref name="Playable Ciri (IGN)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/15/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-will-let-you-play-as-ciri |title=The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Will Let You Play as Ciri |last=Karmali |first=Luke |date=15 December 2014 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202105252/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/15/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-will-let-you-play-as-ciri |archive-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Playable Ciri (IGN)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/15/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-will-let-you-play-as-ciri |title=The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Will Let You Play as Ciri |last=Karmali |first=Luke |date=15 December 2014 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202105252/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/15/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-will-let-you-play-as-ciri |archive-date=2 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Geralt Confirmed (IGN)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/geralt-is-in-the-witcher-4-and-that-is-indeed-doug-cockles-voice-in-the-trailer-cd-projekt-confirms |title=Geralt Is in The Witcher 4 and That Is Indeed Doug Cockle's Voice in the Trailer, CD Projekt Confirms |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=13 December 2024 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213213026/https://www.ign.com/articles/geralt-is-in-the-witcher-4-and-that-is-indeed-doug-cockles-voice-in-the-trailer-cd-projekt-confirms |archive-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Berkeley (Gamer)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-witcher-4-ciri-voice-actor-jo-wyatt-recast-rumours/ |title= The Witcher 4 Trailer Recasts Ciri |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=13 December 2024 |website=TheGamer |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213212620/https://www.thegamer.com/the-witcher-4-ciri-voice-actor-jo-wyatt-recast-rumours/ |archive-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Cockle (IGN)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/geralt-is-in-the-witcher-4-and-that-is-indeed-doug-cockles-voice-in-the-trailer-cd-projekt-confirms |title=Geralt Is in The Witcher 4 and That Is Indeed Doug Cockle's Voice in the Trailer, CD Projekt Confirms |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=13 December 2024 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213213026/https://www.ign.com/articles/geralt-is-in-the-witcher-4-and-that-is-indeed-doug-cockles-voice-in-the-trailer-cd-projekt-confirms |archive-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Console Testings (RPS)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/what-has-the-witcher-4-or-polaris-team-learned-from-cyberpunk-2077-test-consoles-early-and-avoid-crunch |title=What have The Witcher 4 or "Polaris" team learned from Cyberpunk 2077? Test on console early and avoid crunch |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=17 October 2023 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210034558/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/what-has-the-witcher-4-or-polaris-team-learned-from-cyberpunk-2077-test-consoles-early-and-avoid-crunch |archive-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Console Testings (RPS)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/what-has-the-witcher-4-or-polaris-team-learned-from-cyberpunk-2077-test-consoles-early-and-avoid-crunch |title=What have The Witcher 4 or "Polaris" team learned from Cyberpunk 2077? Test on console early and avoid crunch |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=17 October 2023 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210034558/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/what-has-the-witcher-4-or-polaris-team-learned-from-cyberpunk-2077-test-consoles-early-and-avoid-crunch |archive-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Unannounced GPU (PCG)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/the-witcher-4-reveal-trailer-has-been-pre-rendered-on-an-unannounced-nvidia-geforce-gpu-which-tells-us-not-much-actually/ |title=The Witcher 4 reveal trailer has been 'pre-rendered on an unannounced Nvidia GeForce GPU' which tells us... not much actually |last=Edser |first=Andy |date=13 December 2024 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213212447/https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/the-witcher-4-reveal-trailer-has-been-pre-rendered-on-an-unannounced-nvidia-geforce-gpu-which-tells-us-not-much-actually/ |archive-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Unannounced GPU (PCG)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/the-witcher-4-reveal-trailer-has-been-pre-rendered-on-an-unannounced-nvidia-geforce-gpu-which-tells-us-not-much-actually/ |title=The Witcher 4 reveal trailer has been 'pre-rendered on an unannounced Nvidia GeForce GPU' which tells us... not much actually |last=Edser |first=Andy |date=13 December 2024 |website=] |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213212447/https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/the-witcher-4-reveal-trailer-has-been-pre-rendered-on-an-unannounced-nvidia-geforce-gpu-which-tells-us-not-much-actually/ |archive-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Berkeley (Gamer)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-witcher-4-ciri-voice-actor-jo-wyatt-recast-rumours/ |title=Recasts Ciri |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=13 December 2024 |website=TheGamer |access-date=13 December 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213212620/https://www.thegamer.com/the-witcher-4-ciri-voice-actor-jo-wyatt-recast-rumours/ |archive-date=13 December 2024}}</ref> |
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The developers aimed to ensure that the game would not contradict or "break" the established canon, regardless of the player's choices in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015). CDPR also recognized that some players might be unfamiliar with the previous games and sought to design The Witcher IV as both a fresh entry point for newcomers and a continuation for longtime fans. The studio has long considered the idea of a game where Ciri, who appeared as a supporting, occasionally playable character in Wild Hunt, serves as the main protagonist, describing her as a "very organic, logical choice". Cian Maher, franchise and lore designer at CDPR, explained that "The Witcher as a title refers to both Geralt and Ciri and always has", with the latter being "arguably more important to the plot than Geralt himself". Unlike Geralt, a seasoned monster hunter throughout the series, Ciri is depicted in The Witcher IV as an aspiring monster hunter who is "about to form her own codex on her own terms". Ciara Berkeley was cast as Ciri, replacing Jo Wyatt, who voiced the character in Wild Hunt. Doug Cockle will reprise his role as Geralt in the game.
Game director Sebastian Kalemba emphasized that the developers aim to expand player agency by offering more options for both narrative and gameplay decisions, creating a more personalized experience. The studio wanted to enhance gameplay flexibility by drawing on their experience with Cyberpunk 2077, particularly in aligning world exploration with improved coherence across main story missions, side quests, and open world activities. The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, which CDPR adopted after transitioning away from their proprietary REDengine—the technology previously used for The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (2011) and Wild Hunt. Unlike the development of Cyberpunk 2077, the studio began testing the game on consoles early in production to avoid crunch.
