The Witcher 4 tech demo provided an impressive glimpse into what CD Projekt Red describes as purely technical showcase content. As IGN clarified, this demonstration does not represent actual Witcher 4 gameplay. Nevertheless, observing this Unreal Engine 5 preview set within The Witcher universe inevitably raises questions about potential features coming to the highly anticipated title still years away from launch.
Next-Gen Visual Showcase
The demonstration, captured on PlayStation 5 running at 60fps, follows Ciri exploring the previously unseen region of Kovir during a monster hunt (CD Projekt confirmed Kovir will be playable in The Witcher 4).
The tech demo boasts remarkable environmental detail and fluid animations surpassing current console generation standards. Particularly impressive are the realistic interactions between Ciri, her horse Kelpie, NPCs, and the game world as they traverse Kovir's mountains toward the port town of Valdrest. A highlight features a bustling marketplace populated by 300 uniquely animated characters. The demo culminates with our first look at Lan Exeter, Kovir's winter capital.
Managing Expectations
Given CD Projekt Red's experience with Cyberpunk 2077's controversial launch, questions naturally arise about how closely this tech demo reflects the final product. During Epic's State of Unreal 2025 event, Cinematic Director Kajetan Kapuściński offered measured insight:
"This tech demo demonstrates our technological ambitions and creative direction, but everything remains subject to change," Kapuściński explained. "It showcases collaborative technology development with Epic that will power The Witcher 4's development."
Technical Breakthroughs
Epic Games' Senior Director Wyeth Johnson confirmed the demo's technical achievements reflect realistic targets:
"The technology must deliver what players expect," Johnson stated. "Our collaboration pushed boundaries for high-fidelity 60fps experiences with ray tracing."
Johnson emphasized optimization strategies leveraging parallel processing capabilities:
"Our animation framework and geometry streaming innovations help maximize hardware potential more efficiently," he elaborated. "Early demonstrations already show significant performance improvements."
The Witcher 4 Unreal Engine 5 Tech Demo Screenshots
Future Ambitions
Kapuściński hinted at potential gameplay directions:
"Our Nanite foliage technology enables massive, detailed forests," he revealed. "Similarly, our animation framework supports hundreds of simultaneous NPCs - elements critical for our vision."
Regarding platforms, CD Projekt Red hasn't confirmed cross-gen support or Xbox Series S compatibility. With The Witcher 4 expected no earlier than 2027, speculation continues about potential next-gen console versions.
