Epic Games Reveals Stunning Tech Demo for The Witcher 4

Orlando, Florida — Epic Games showcased an impressive tech demo for the highly anticipated game The Witcher 4 during its State of Unreal 2025 event on June 3.

The demo, developed in collaboration with CD Projekt Red, highlighted Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities. The presentation centered on Ciri, the game’s main character, as she navigated the new region of Kovir while on a monster contract. Epic clarified that this tech demo does not represent the final product or The Witcher 4’s official gameplay.

“When we launched Unreal Engine 5 three years ago, CD Projekt Red announced their collaboration with us. We revealed a glimpse of what we’ve been working on together today,” an Epic representative said.

The demo provided an early look at various features of Unreal Engine 5.6, including Fast Geometry Streaming, allowing quicker loading times and higher frame rates. It ran at 60 frames per second with ray tracing on a standard PlayStation 5, a testament to Unreal’s performance capabilities.

In the bustling market scene of Valdrest, developers demonstrated the engine’s ability to handle 300 individually animated characters simultaneously, creating a richly populated environment. At the end of the showcase, viewers got their first look at Lan Exeter, a significant port city in Kovir.

CD Projekt Red also detailed the compelling story elements of The Witcher 4. Małgorzata Mitręga, executive producer, emphasized that Ciri was a “logical choice” for the main character, as her journey has always been central to the series.

Despite excitement surrounding the demo, the game’s release is not expected until 2027, if all goes as planned. Concerns about possible delays linger, as many in the gaming community speculate about a potential 2028 launch.

Rob, a gaming editor, stated, “I’m really excited. I think it’s a really good move. Continuing the saga with Ciri is an interesting development. I can’t wait to see what they’ve done.” Yet, others remain cautious, reflecting on past game launches from CD Projekt Red.

Overall, the tech demo offers a glimpse of the ambitious scope of The Witcher 4, which will be the first installment in a planned trilogy following the events of The Witcher 3. The game promises new technologies and features that could set a new standard for open-world RPGs.