CD Projekt Red Reveals Stunning Witcher 4 Tech Demo Running in Unreal Engine 5

During the recent State of Unreal 2025 showcase, CD Projekt Red delivered an extensive preview of their upcoming Witcher sequel that left audiences captivated. The Polish development studio presented both cinematic storytelling and substantial gameplay footage, offering the most comprehensive look yet at this highly anticipated title. The presentation demonstrated how Unreal Engine 5 enables breathtaking open-world environments that push current hardware capabilities to their limits.

The event commenced with a cinematic trailer showcasing a merchant caravan under attack by a terrifying Manticore creature. As the winged beast assaulted its victims, a desperate merchant threw a coin toward a Witcher figure, setting the stage for what followed. The transition from night to day revealed Ciri stepping into the spotlight, equipped with twin blades and radiating confident presence. This marked a significant expansion of her character portrayal compared to earlier teasers.

The cinematic conclusion presented Ciri surveying snow-covered peaks and lush green valleys, creating a moment of visual poetry. Just as viewers assumed the presentation had concluded, the game’s cinematic director took control using a DualSense controller, transitioning seamlessly into live gameplay. This demonstration perfectly captured what many gamers envisioned for the PlayStation 5 generation regarding graphical excellence and immersive environments.

Regarding performance specifications, the narrator verified that the demonstration operated on standard PlayStation 5 hardware, maintaining 60 frames per second while incorporating ray tracing technology. This achievement demonstrates remarkable optimization, considering the visual complexity on display. For players planning their gaming setup, this performance level on base hardware suggests accessibility without requiring premium console variants.

Gameplay sequences followed Ciri navigating through rough landscapes with detailed snow particles blanketing the terrain. Players were introduced to her new equine companion, a dark-maned horse called Kelpi. The development team detailed the technological foundations driving equine mechanics, particularly emphasizing machine-learned deformations that accurately simulate stretching patterns beneath Kelpi’s skin, producing distinctly visible nerve structures.

The demonstration also highlighted rich vegetation rendering individual pinecones through Nanite technology. This virtualized geometry system allows unprecedented detail scaling, meaning environmental elements maintain crisp detail regardless of viewing distance. For experienced RPG players, this technological advancement suggests reduced pop-in and more consistent visual quality during exploration.

The presentation’s standout moment occurred when Ciri entered a settlement called Vagrest. CD Projekt Red enthusiastically demonstrated remarkable non-player character interactions that appeared spontaneous and unscripted. The diversity of behaviors displayed was genuinely impressive, from townspeople expressing disdain toward mutants to guards directly spitting in Ciri’s direction.

The local circus performance gathered approximately three hundred spectators, showcasing crowd technology previously unseen in role-playing games. Even minor world incidents, like a tavern keeper ejecting an intoxicated customer or a fish seller practicing persuasion techniques on clients, demonstrated meticulous attention to detail. For those familiar with class-based gameplay systems, the organic NPC behaviors suggest similar depth in social interaction mechanics.

Although developers shared no information regarding the official launch timeline, this presentation undoubtedly generated unprecedented excitement for The Witcher 4. Adopting a cautious perspective momentarily, I would advise maintaining realistic expectations given CD Projekt Red’s track record with major project launches. However, the studio’s exceptional work transforming Cyberpunk 2077 into an outstanding futuristic role-playing game provides reasonable confidence.

Common mistakes gamers make include overhyping titles based on curated demonstrations rather than final product performance. A more measured approach involves appreciating the technical achievements while acknowledging that polish often continues post-launch in modern game development. For comprehensive guidance on managing anticipation for major releases, our Complete Guide to upcoming games offers valuable insights.

No reproduction without permission：Tsp Game Club » CD Projekt Red Reveals Stunning Witcher 4 Tech Demo Running in Unreal Engine 5 CD Projekt Red reveals stunning Witcher 4 gameplay with Ciri protagonist and Unreal Engine 5 showcase