The Witcher 4 Development: Insights into CD Projekt Red’s Use of Unreal Engine 5

Get insights into the technical ambitions for The Witcher 4 and Unreal Engine 5's role in its development.

The world of gaming technology is constantly evolving, and the recent discussions surrounding The Witcher 4 and its use of Unreal Engine 5 have captured the attention of both developers and gamers alike. CD Projekt Red, renowned for their immersive storytelling and detailed game worlds, has shared insights into their development process and the challenges they face in optimizing the game for different platforms, particularly the PlayStation 5.

Understanding the tech demo

In an interview with Digital Foundry, members of CD Projekt Red elaborated on their choice to showcase the Unreal Engine 5 tech demo on a PlayStation 5. This decision reflects a shift in their development strategy, where they aim to prioritize console performance while ensuring that the game remains visually stunning. Charles Tremblay, the VP of technology at CD Projekt Red, emphasized this point by stating, “We always do PC and we push and then we try to scale down.” This approach aims to address past challenges they faced with previous launches, such as Cyberpunk 2077, which suffered from significant performance issues on consoles.

The challenges of console-first development

With The Witcher 4, the team is determined to avoid the pitfalls of their past. Tremblay noted that they wanted to be more strategic in their console-first development approach. This means understanding the technical limitations and strengths of the PlayStation 5 to deliver a smoother gaming experience right out of the gate. The ambition to achieve 60 fps on the console has prompted the team to rethink their development strategies, ensuring that they lay a solid foundation from which they can scale up the game’s graphics and performance.

Scaling up vs. scaling down

Jakub Knapik, the VP of art and global art director, highlighted the importance of building a strong foundation for the game’s visuals and technical aspects. He stated, “It’s easier to scale up than down.” This insight is crucial as it allows the team to focus on creating a consistent experience across different platforms. The technologies like Lumen, which enhances lighting and shadowing in games, play a significant role in this scaling process. CD Projekt Red is committed to pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity, ensuring that players can enjoy an immersive experience regardless of the platform they choose.

Looking ahead

As the development of The Witcher 4 progresses, fans can rest assured that CD Projekt Red remains dedicated to delivering a top-tier experience for PC gamers as well. Tremblay reassured that while they are currently focusing on console optimization, the company originated as a PC developer and will continue to prioritize the needs of PC gamers. However, the specifics of how this will manifest in The Witcher 4’s final product are still under wraps.

This combination of console-first development and a commitment to PC quality raises intriguing questions about the future of gaming graphics. As technology advances, players will likely see more games that can seamlessly transition between different hardware capabilities, ensuring a consistent experience across the board.

Scritto da AiAdhubMedia

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