The Witcher 4's Unreal Engine 5 tech demo at State of Unreal 2025 represents work-in-progress development rather than a final product. CD Projekt Red confirms frame rate targets and technical improvements shown may evolve before launch.
The Witcher 4 State of Unreal 2025 Tech Demo Details
Base PS5 Targets 60fps Performance
The visually stunning tech demo maintained 60fps on base PlayStation 5 hardware, though CD Projekt Red cautions this doesn't reflect final performance. In a June 3rd Eurogamer interview, CDPR representatives stated: "While 60fps on PS5 remains our target, platform specifications aren't finalized. We're collaborating closely with Epic to balance visual fidelity with smooth gameplay across all platforms."
The company emphasizes this demo showcases engine capabilities rather than final game implementation. "Visual elements like character models and environments may vary in the shipping product," CDPR clarified, drawing parallels to pre-release expectations versus Cyberpunk 2077's launch challenges.
Unreal Engine 5.6 Technical Showcase
The 14-minute presentation highlighted UE5.6's cutting-edge features including photorealistic environments, advanced ray tracing, and improved asset streaming. The demonstration opened with cinematic monster attack footage before transitioning into live gameplay showing Ciri investigating the aftermath.
Developers emphasized technological achievements like "root motion movement" for realistic horseback riding, complete with accurate equine muscle deformation via ML Deformer. New UE5 systems shown included:
- Nanite Foliage for detailed vegetation without performance loss
- Fast Geo Streaming for seamless world loading
- MetaHuman AI crowds with Mass Framework behavior systems
The demo revealed Kovir, a previously unexplored region, including the mountain port town of Valdrest. While combat wasn't showcased, the technical presentation demonstrated significant graphical advancements coming to The Witcher universe.
The Witcher 4 is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, though no release window has been announced. For ongoing updates about CD Projekt Red's next RPG, follow our continued coverage.
