Witcher 4 PS5 Tech Demo Reveals Performance Goals (But Don't Get Too Excited!)

CD Projekt Red Confirms Witcher 4 Unreal Demo Showcases Tech Tools, Doesn't Represent Final Game

The gaming world was set ablaze recently with a first look at a tech demo for the highly anticipated Witcher 4 during the State of Unreal stream. The demo, showcasing in-game cinematics and gameplay, offered a tantalizing glimpse into what CD Projekt Red is cooking up. However, the studio has clarified that this demo is primarily a showcase of their technological advancements and isn't necessarily representative of the final game.

The demo featured Ciri encountering a monster attack on a wagon, transitioning into gameplay where Kajetan Kapuscinski, cinematic director at CD Projekt Red, navigated the world. Wyeth Johnson from Epic Games and Sebastian Kalemba from CD Projekt Red provided commentary, highlighting the technical achievements on display.

Here's a breakdown of what was shown and what CD Projekt Red has clarified:

• Impressive Performance: The demo ran at a smooth 60fps on a standard PS5 with ray tracing enabled.
• Horse Riding Realism: Ciri's horse, Kelpie, featured realistic muscle and skin movement thanks to the Unreal Chaos Flesh Solver and machine-learned deformations.
• Stunning Foliage: Nanite Foliage allowed for the fast rendering of high-quality shrubbery and scenery.
• Dynamic City Life: The city of Vargrest was populated with numerous NPCs engaging in various activities, showcasing the potential for a lively and immersive world.

CD Projekt Red has emphasized that while the tech demo is impressive, it's crucial to understand its purpose. Here are the key takeaways:

• Not Representative of the Final Game: The studio explicitly stated, "It's important to keep in mind that this tech demo isn't meant to represent The Witcher 4 - it's a showcase of the tools we're developing together with Epic Games."
• Visuals May Differ: Specific visuals like character models and environments may be different in the final version.
• Performance Target: A representative from the studio said, "This tech demo runs at 60fps on PS5, and that's the performance we're aiming for in The Witcher 4." However, they added that "It's still too early to confirm exact specs for every platform."

The studio is collaborating closely with Epic Games to create an open-world experience that is both visually stunning and performs smoothly. They acknowledge the concern about potentially setting unrealistic expectations, especially given the initial performance of The Witcher 3.

As Sebastian Kalemba stated, the goal is to make "this game to be the most immersive and ambitious open world Witcher game ever," leveraging their work on Unreal Engine with the team at Epic.

Considering that The Witcher 4 isn't expected to arrive until 2026, this tech demo serves as an early glimpse into the technological foundation being built for the game. It's a demonstration of the tools and techniques CD Projekt Red is employing, offering a promise of what's to come rather than a concrete representation of the final product.

This peek behind the curtain is exciting, offering a glimpse into the future of The Witcher franchise. While the final game may differ, the commitment to pushing technological boundaries and creating an immersive open world is certainly something to look forward to. The collaboration between CD Projekt Red and Epic Games on Unreal Engine appears to be paving the way for a truly remarkable gaming experience.

Source: https://www.eurogamer.net/the-witcher-4-unreal-tech-demo-was-running-on-a-standard-ps5-at-60fps-with-ray-tracing