Witcher 4: Tech Demo Insights Revealed

At this week's Unreal Fest Orlando, Epic Games and CD Projekt Red unveiled a groundbreaking technical demonstration for The Witcher 4. Running on Unreal Engine 5 with cutting-edge tools, this preview offers fans their first glimpse into the future of the Witcher universe – showcasing potential locations, characters, and the game's evolving atmosphere.

1. The Demo is Not Gameplay

The live demonstration featured CD Projekt Red's Cinematic Director moving Ciri through various environments, but the studio clarifies this isn't representative of final gameplay. While the locations will appear in The Witcher 4, the specific quest and interactions may change significantly before release.

2. Visual Fidelity on Standard Hardware

Running smoothly at 60fps on a base PlayStation 5, the demo leverages Unreal Engine 5.6's advancements like Hardware Ray Tracing optimizations to deliver unprecedented visual quality while maintaining performance. The developers confirm these graphics will be achievable on current-gen consoles without requiring new hardware.

3. Exploring the Northern Realms

The demo transports players to Kovir, a mineral-rich northern kingdom mentioned in Witcher lore but never before realized in-game. The showcase highlights Unreal Engine's new Nanite Foliage technology creating some of the most dense, realistic forests ever seen in a video game.

4. Meet Ciri's New Steed: Kelpie

While Geralt had Roach, Ciri inherits Kelpie – a legendary black horse from Witcher literature capable of incredible feats. The developers promise significant improvements to horse mechanics compared to previous titles, aiming for seamless traversal through Unreal's multi-character motion matching.

5. Classic Witcher Narrative Style

The demo features Ciri investigating a salt merchant's missing shipment – a traditional Witcher contract that ultimately reveals a deadly manticore threat. This segment exemplifies CD Projekt Red's signature blend of grounded storytelling with fantastical adventure.

6. The Bustling Port of Valdrest

The demo introduces Valdrest, a harbor town home to over 300 unique NPCs showcasing unprecedented diversity in body types, animations, and interactions. Powered by Epic's MetaHuman technology, the settlement feels alive with merchants, children, guards and even a tamed bear roaming its streets.

7. Dynamic World Interactions

The demo emphasizes reactive environments where player actions trigger cascading events. When Ciri bumps a merchant, spilled apples roll downhill while a nearby chicken scatters – small details that collectively create an immersive, breathing world that remembers a Witcher's controversial reputation.

8. Seamless Cinematic Transitions

Building on lessons from Cyberpunk 2077, the demo shows completely fluid transitions between gameplay and cinematic sequences without loading breaks. Conversations begin organically as the camera dynamically reframes interactions while maintaining immersion.

9. A First Look at Lan Exeter

As a special treat for fans, the demo concludes with the first-ever glimpse of Lan Exeter – Kovir's Venetian-style winter capital mentioned in Witcher lore. The canal-laced city appears beautifully rendered with its iconic Ensenada Palace visible in the distance.

10. Defining the Next RPG Generation

CD Projekt Red and Epic Games envision this collaboration pushing open-world RPGs into new territory. By removing technical barriers through Unreal Engine 5's capabilities, the developers aim to create unprecedented player immersion while maintaining their signature narrative depth.