The upcoming Witcher 4 game will feature significant changes, with Ciri taking over as the lead character and CD Projekt Red switching from REDengine to Unreal Engine 5. Co-CEO Michał Nowakowski mentioned that the shift towards Unreal Engine wasn’t a consequence of the challenges faced during the development of Cyberpunk 2077, but rather a strategic decision based on the company’s desire to focus on storytelling rather than engine development.
In a podcast interview, Nowakowski emphasized that CD Projekt Red aims to influence the development of Unreal Engine 5 directly, marking a unique partnership with Epic Games. The studio’s involvement could improve the engine’s capabilities and performance, particularly in addressing issues related to game stutters.
CD Projekt’s leadership was impressed by the Matrix Awakens demo, leading them to pursue a collaboration that allows them to work closely with Epic on future developments. As the relationship progresses, it raises questions about the potential influence CD Projekt Red may have on future iterations of Unreal Engine, including Unreal Engine 6.
The company remains committed to traditional game development practices, asserting its position against heavy reliance on AI for game creation.
