CD Projekt RED has officially debuted the first gameplay demo for The Witcher 4, confirming that Ciri will be the main playable character in the long-awaited next chapter of the series. The demo, revealed during the State of Unreal 2025 event, offers a detailed glimpse into the game’s new direction and technological upgrades.
Set in the northern kingdom of Kovir, the game introduces a vibrant yet dangerous world shaped by political instability, war, and magical anomalies. Ciri, known for her Elder Blood and dimension-traveling abilities, now takes center stage in what CD Projekt RED describes as the beginning of a new trilogy set in The Witcher universe.
The new game is built using Unreal Engine 5.6, allowing for significant graphical improvements and more advanced AI behavior. The gameplay demo featured dynamic weather systems, day-night cycles, and intricate environmental details—ranging from dense urban areas to untamed wilderness. Enemy encounters appear more fluid and strategic, with revamped swordplay, magic, and mobility options designed specifically for Ciri’s unique combat style.
The demo also highlighted interactive dialogue trees, real-time consequences to player choices, and branching questlines. Unlike the original trilogy, The Witcher 4 leans more heavily into open-world exploration with fewer loading screens and a denser narrative web. The region of Kovir is set to offer a mix of court intrigue, monster contracts, and ancient secrets tied to Ciri’s past.
CD Projekt RED has not announced a firm release date but confirmed that the game will not arrive before 2026. It will be available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S upon release.
The reveal marks a significant transition for the franchise, moving away from the Geralt-centric storylines of the previous games while maintaining the moral complexity and rich world-building that have become its signature.