The director of The Witcher 4 has addressed rumors suggesting that the game’s developers changed Ciri’s face after a video release sparked speculation.
Recently, CD Projekt posted a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the cinematic reveal trailer for The Witcher 4, and fans quickly zoomed in on two brief clips featuring Ciri’s face. These moments, occurring at 2:11 and 5:47, show her up close as the camera rotates around her. Some fans pointed out that Ciri appeared slightly different in these shots compared to her appearance in the trailer, with one commenter mentioning that the Ciri shown at 5:47 felt like “a slightly older Ciri” and praising her appearance.
This led to some speculation, particularly from online communities, that CD Projekt might have altered Ciri’s face following perceived criticism of her look in the trailer. However, the game’s director, Sebastian Kalemba, took to social media to set the record straight. He confirmed that no changes had been made to Ciri’s in-game model, explaining that the video simply showed raw footage taken before the final cinematic enhancements were applied.
Kalemba clarified, “The behind-the-scenes video features the same in-game model of Ciri as seen in the original trailer. We have not modified it. What you’re seeing is raw footage — without facial animation, lighting, or virtual camera lenses. While it’s still in-engine, it represents a work-in-progress snapshot taken before we applied cinematic touches for the purpose of that video.”
He also pointed out that variations in a character’s appearance during development are normal, as a character’s look can differ depending on the medium — whether it’s in a trailer, a 3D model, or the final in-game version.
As one user humorously remarked on a Witcher subreddit: “Redditor discovers the effect that lighting can have on an in-game face model, is confused.”
The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new trilogy set after the events of The Witcher 3, but with a major shift: Ciri, rather than Geralt, takes the spotlight as the protagonist.
Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained that Ciri was always intended to be the main character, as she is a deep and multifaceted character in the saga, and her story was meant to continue. She also mentioned that while Geralt’s story concluded in The Witcher 3, Ciri’s journey has much more to offer, and her role feels like a natural progression for the series.
Kalemba added that Ciri’s younger age allows players to shape her character in ways they couldn’t with Geralt, providing developers with a fresh opportunity to explore her personality and growth.
Though some players have expressed concern over Ciri’s role as the protagonist, Kalemba reaffirmed that this was always the plan. “There was an intention behind this choice,” he said. “It wasn’t random. I remember we had discussions nine years ago, and the immediate answer was Ciri. She has so much to prove, so much to tell, and the challenges she faces give us incredible energy to create an epic saga. We felt this was the right choice, and I believe it truly is.”