Epic Games and CD Projekt unveiled an impressive technical demonstration of The Witcher 4 powered by Unreal Engine 5.

During Epic’s State of Unreal 2025 event, a tech demo highlighted advanced technology driving the next chapter of The Witcher series. Epic clarified that this was not the full game but a preview offering insight into its potential.

“Three years ago, when we introduced Unreal Engine 5, CD Projekt Red partnered with us to enhance open-world capabilities in the engine,” Epic stated. “At State of Unreal, we showcased our collaborative efforts.”

The Witcher 4 tech demo follows Ciri navigating Kovir, a new region confirmed as playable in the game, during a monster-hunting contract. The demo displays Unreal Engine 5.6’s open-world features, running on a standard PlayStation 5 at 60 frames per second with ray tracing enabled. It utilizes the Fast Geometry Streaming Plugin for quicker world loading. In one scene, CD Projekt increased the market’s NPC count to 300 uniquely animated characters. The demo concluded with a glimpse of Lan Exeter, Kovir’s winter capital and key port city.

Epic’s official statement reads:

In Valdrest’s vibrant market, Ciri navigates a dynamic scene filled with detailed characters and effects powered by ML Deformer. The demo also features Nanite Foliage, delivering lush, memory-efficient greenery, set for inclusion in Unreal Engine 5.7.

CD Projekt added:

Set in Kovir, a region debuting in the video game series with The Witcher 4, the demo tracks Ciri and her horse Kelpie through rugged mountains and thick forests to Valdrest’s lively port town.

While the tech demo offers a stunning preview of The Witcher 4’s visuals, the game remains years from release, with CD Projekt targeting 2027 at the earliest.

This timeline rules out launches in 2025 or 2026, with 2027 as the earliest possible release. However, given the gaming industry’s unpredictable schedules, a 2028 launch remains possible.

The Witcher 4 Unreal Engine 5 Tech Demo Screenshots

Some speculated that The Witcher 4 might target next-generation consoles, with Sony likely developing the PlayStation 6 and Microsoft rumored to plan a 2027 Xbox Series X successor and handheld. However, this demo, running on a base PS5, suggests a cross-generation release, similar to Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020.

The Witcher 4 kicks off a new trilogy set after The Witcher 3, with Ciri as the protagonist instead of Geralt.

In an exclusive IGN interview before the reveal, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga called Ciri “the natural choice.”

“Her story has always been central, from the books to the games. She’s a complex, compelling character. After concluding Geralt’s arc, Ciri felt like the inevitable next step,” Mitręga said.

In a January interview with IGN about Netflix’s upcoming animated film, The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep, Geralt’s voice actor Doug Cockle endorsed CD Projekt’s shift to Ciri.

“I’m thrilled about it,” Cockle said. “Moving to Ciri feels like a bold, smart choice, especially given her role in the books, which I won’t spoil. It’s exciting, and I can’t wait to see their vision.”

More exclusive Witcher 4 content is available, including a trailer analysis and an interview with CD Projekt detailing how the studio aims to avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch mishap.