The Witcher 4's director clarifies Ciri's in-game model: no changes made. Recent behind-the-scenes footage sparked debate about Ciri's appearance, with some suggesting alterations to her facial model. However, game director Sebastian Kalemba confirmed on social media that the model remains unchanged. The variations seen in the new video, at timestamps 2:11 and 5:47, are simply "raw footage" captured before the addition of cinematic effects like lighting and animation. Kalemba emphasizes that a character's appearance can naturally differ depending on the context (trailer, 3D model, in-game).
This clarification addresses concerns stemming from initial reactions to Ciri's look in the reveal trailer. While some negative feedback emerged, the response to the raw footage has been largely positive. The director's statement highlights the iterative nature of game development and the impact of post-processing on visual fidelity.
The Witcher 4, the first in a new trilogy, features Ciri as the protagonist, a decision supported by executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga and Geralt's voice actor, Doug Cockle. Mitręga highlights Ciri's compelling character arc and the narrative opportunities presented by shifting the focus from Geralt. Kalemba emphasizes the deliberate nature of this choice, made years ago, emphasizing Ciri's potential for story development and player interaction.
The article concludes by mentioning further exclusive content on The Witcher 4, including a trailer breakdown and an interview discussing the game's development strategy to avoid a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's launch issues.
