The recent Epic Games State of Unreal keynote stole the show with a breathtaking technical demo for The Witcher 4, showcasing the game’s stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5. What truly impressed, however, wasn’t just the level of detail—from a bustling port city to a richly rendered forest—but the platform it ran on: a standard, unmodified PlayStation 5. This deliberate choice, according to CD Projekt Red’s senior technical animator Julius Girbig, was a strategic move to highlight the team’s optimization prowess.
Girbig explained to The Verge that the decision to showcase the demo on a base PS5 was intentional. The goal was to demonstrate the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 and the team’s optimization skills, proving that this level of graphical fidelity is achievable on current-generation hardware, rather than relying on high-end PCs for demonstration.
It’s important to note that this UE5 demo isn’t a direct representation of the final game; Girbig clarified it’s more of a showcase for the tools and techniques being developed. While not a playable section, it provides a clear indication of the visual style and fidelity CD Projekt Red is targeting for the final release of The Witcher 4.
This transition to Unreal Engine 5 marks a significant shift for CD Projekt Red. After developing open-world titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077 with their own proprietary engine—a process that, at times, encountered significant technical hurdles—the studio announced its move to Unreal Engine 5 in 2022. Girbig, who joined CDPR after this decision, highlighted the numerous advantages of UE5, including its capacity to manage vast open worlds, handle numerous high-fidelity NPCs with complex AI, and streamline the development pipeline for multiple projects—including the upcoming Witcher 1 remake, also built on UE5.
Beyond the technical improvements, Girbig emphasized the artistic benefits of the switch. He explained that Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities have removed previous engine limitations, allowing artists to express their creativity more freely and pursue more ambitious visual designs. This shift, he says, has empowered him and his team to think bigger and bolder in their creative vision for The Witcher 4.
The impressive PS5 demo certainly generates significant excitement for The Witcher 4. While the release date remains unannounced, CD Projekt Red’s demonstration offers a compelling glimpse into the game’s potential, promising a visually stunning experience optimized for current-generation consoles.
