CD Projekt RED just dropped the first trailer for The Witcher 4. A more grown-up and powerful Ciri takes center stage in this new gaming saga. The game is simply titled Witcher IV, at least in the trailer.
The six-minute video kicks off with a village girl being prepped for a sacrifice to a “god” to protect her village. Meanwhile, Ciri is gearing up for battle. At sunset, Ciri shows up at the ceremony, scolds the villagers, but the girl in the wreath has already headed into the forest. Ciri catches up and tells her to run. Then, a fight with a monster begins, where Ciri uses both her sword and at least two magical powers. Ciri beheads the monster and returns to the village at dawn—but there’s no cause for celebration.
“The Witcher IV — a single-player, open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red. At the start of this new saga, players step into the role of Ciri, a professional monster slayer, and embark on a journey through a brutal, dark fantasy world. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it aims to be the most thrilling and ambitious open-world Witcher game yet.”
Ahead of The Game Awards 2024, developers confirmed to IGN that the Witcher 4 trailer was pre-rendered in a special build of Unreal Engine 5, and they shared insights on its content and the game overall.
“We’ve always said that this world doesn’t need a hero; it needs a professional,” says the game director and executive producer, Sebastian Kalemba.
The developer mentions that several years have passed since the events of “The Witcher 3,” and now it’s Ciri’s turn to take on the role of the witcher and the burdens that come with the job. The “cat-like” eyes of the girl indicate that she has undergone the Trial of the Grasses—a painful body mutation.
“This was a huge deal for us, making such a shift [changing Ciri]—not just for her, but for the game. It’s really important and leaves a lot of room for imagination. For instance, when it happened, how it happened. … I think it’s a huge change, and I hope people didn’t see it coming,” explains Malgorzata Mitrega, executive producer.
The short story particularly highlights the fear and disdain for witchers, evident from people’s reactions. The girl undergoing the ritual is named Mione. Cornflowers are used in her ritual wreath.
“This is a special flower that people in the Middle Ages used in significant moments to overcome evil. It’s very symbolic. Each frame here is very meaningful,” says Kalemba.
Malgorzata Mitrega reveals that the village is located in the far north of the Witcher world, but its exact location remains a mystery.
“We’re still keeping it under wraps. But yes, we plan to let players explore new lands and regions of the world. And I can only say there are a few truly epic regions to discover,” adds Kalemba.
Geralt was known for trying to remain neutral. However, Ciri does not follow this.
“She doesn’t want to stay neutral. She’s much younger. She’s still defining her own code and is less pragmatic. … So, we have the opportunity to let the player define their experience, this path, this journey. As long as I remember, we believed that the next journey, the next saga surely belongs to Ciri, as she is an enormous vessel of emotions and experiences for the journey,” explains Kalemba.
The huge monster Ciri encounters is named Bauk. It has the ability to sense the fears of its victims and play on them.
“The main idea was that when you see a silhouette in the fog, you want to think or at least imagine that it’s some ancient grandma in a hooded coat. Then the spectacle unfolds into a big monster,” explains Kalemba.
Before the battle with Bauk, Ciri sharpens her silver sword. Those whose playthrough of The Witcher 3 ended with Ciri becoming a witcher will recognize “Zireael” / “Swallow.” Also, she drinks a witcher potion, and her face changes.
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