At the State of Unreal 2025 event, CD Projekt Red unveiled a striking tech demo for The Witcher 4, offering fans their first glimpse of the next chapter in the beloved fantasy RPG series. While not actual gameplay, this demo showcases the cutting-edge technology and ambitious vision powering the upcoming game, which is set to redefine the franchise with a fresh protagonist and a bold new narrative direction.
The presentation opened with a cinematic sequence depicting a group of traveling merchants ambushed by a fearsome winged beast known as a Manticore. This intense scene set the tone for the demo before seamlessly transitioning into live-action footage following the new protagonist, Ciri, as she investigates the aftermath of the attack. This fluid blend of cinematic storytelling and interactive exploration marks a significant leap in immersive game design.
Running on PlayStation 5 hardware with ray tracing enabled, the demo aims to deliver a smooth 60 frames per second experience, a technical feat that has impressed many given CD Projekt Red's past challenges with Cyberpunk 2077. The studio's commitment to optimizing The Witcher 4 for current-generation consoles was a focal point of the showcase, underscoring the game's anticipated visual fidelity and performance.
One of the standout features highlighted was Ciri's horse companion, Kelpie. The demo demonstrated a refined physics engine with muscles visibly flexing and the horse's weight realistically shifting as it traversed diverse terrain. This attention to detail extends beyond character models to the environment itself, which was brought to life using Unreal Engine 5.6's nanite foliage technology. Trees, grass, and underbrush were rendered with photorealistic precision and a near-unlimited draw distance, immersing players in a vibrant, living world.
The demo journeyed through the rugged mountains to the bustling port town of Valdrest, nestled within the previously unexplored region of Kovir. Here, the developers showcased complex NPC routines, with townsfolk engaging in everyday activities such as a bear performing for onlookers and vendors interacting dynamically with the environment. Ciri's encounter with a fruit vendor, which caused apples to spill from a crate, exemplified the game's enhanced interactivity and attention to small, organic details that enrich the world-building.
Despite the visual and technical spectacle, CD Projekt Red was clear to emphasize that this was a tech demo rather than actual gameplay. In a statement to VGC on June 3, 2025, the studio confirmed, "This is a tech demo, and a first look at the cutting-edge technology powering The Witcher 4 – but not The Witcher 4 itself. It showcases the powerful foundation we're building in close collaboration with Epic Games to push open-world design further than ever before and the core systems and features we're developing using Unreal Engine 5." The demo also highlighted innovative technologies such as UAF, Smart Objects, ML Deformer, and FastGeo Streaming, which are set to shape the game's future.
Notably, The Witcher 4 marks a significant narrative shift by placing Ciri at the forefront, replacing Geralt of Rivia as the series protagonist. The game is the first installment in a new trilogy, expanding the franchise's lore and exploring fresh storylines. The setting of Kovir, previously only mentioned in passing in The Witcher 3, offers a snowy capital city named Lan Exeter and promises new environments and political intrigue for players to uncover.
The broader Witcher development pipeline includes not only this new trilogy but also a remake of the 2007 original game and a multiplayer project codenamed "Sirius," being developed by The Molasses Flood, a Boston-based subsidiary of CD Projekt Red. These projects indicate the studio's dedication to revitalizing and expanding the Witcher universe across multiple platforms.
Industry speculation suggests that The Witcher 4 could align with the next generation of consoles, with Microsoft reportedly targeting 2027 for an Xbox Series X/S successor. This timing could position the game as a cross-generational title, bridging current and future hardware capabilities. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that the game will release on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, though there has been no mention of a Nintendo Switch 2 version.
The gaming community's reaction to the demo has been a mix of awe and cautious optimism. Reddit users expressed amazement at the visuals and performance, with one commenting, "60 fps on a PS5 with ray-tracing is mind boggling," while others urged restraint until more comprehensive reviews are available. This tempered enthusiasm is understandable given the studio's previous struggles with delivering on ambitious promises.
While no official release date has been announced, CD Projekt Red reiterated that The Witcher 4 will not launch before 2026, with many industry insiders expecting a 2027 or later release window. This extended development timeline reflects the studio's commitment to quality and the ambitious scope of the project.
In summary, the State of Unreal 2025 tech demo for The Witcher 4 offers a tantalizing preview of what lies ahead for fans of the franchise. With its stunning visuals, advanced physics, and richly detailed world, the game is poised to set a new benchmark for fantasy RPGs. As Ciri steps into the spotlight, players can look forward to an immersive adventure that honors the series' roots while boldly charting new territory.
