CD Projekt Red has provided a significant update regarding the development of The Witcher 4, which might not sit well with PC gaming enthusiasts. While it's premature to draw definitive conclusions, this latest announcement could disappoint those eagerly anticipating the game's PC version.

Since the initial reveal of The Witcher 4, CD Projekt Red has maintained an open dialogue about the game's development process. This transparency has offered fans a rare glimpse into the studio's creative approach, despite limited details about the game itself. For instance, the narrative director recently discussed how quest designs in The Witcher 4 draw inspiration from the studio's previous titles, sparking excitement among fans.

In a recent interview with Digital Foundry, Charles Tremblay, CD Projekt Red's VP of technology, revealed a strategic shift in development priorities. "We have incredibly high ambitions for this project," Tremblay stated. "Historically, we've focused on pushing PC limits first and then scaling down for consoles. However, given past challenges, we're adopting a console-first approach this time."

This decision likely stems from the studio's experience with Cyberpunk 2077, which faced significant technical issues on last-gen consoles at launch. The subsequent refund controversy served as a hard lesson, prompting CD Projekt Red to prioritize stability and performance on consoles from the outset.

Tremblay elaborated on the technical considerations behind this shift: "Collaborating with Unreal Engine, we recognized the challenges of achieving our vision at 60 fps on PS5. This led us to reevaluate our technological requirements and commit to developing the necessary tools. While the future remains uncertain, our current focus is squarely on realizing our ambitions for console platforms."

While The Witcher 4's Unreal Engine 5 tech demo showcased impressive potential, the move to console-first development raises questions about potential compromises for the PC version. This approach may limit some of the technical possibilities that PC-first development typically allows, potentially frustrating high-end PC users.

For console gamers, however, this strategy represents promising news, suggesting that The Witcher 4 will be optimized for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 from the ground up. The studio's commitment to avoiding past mistakes could result in a more polished experience at launch.

With The Witcher 4's release likely still years away, rumors have emerged about potential new DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Reportedly in development by Fool's Theory for a 2026 release, this additional content could serve as an exciting bridge between the two games, giving fans reason to revisit the beloved third installment while awaiting its successor.