Epic Video games and CD Projekt Pink confirmed off an early growth Unreal Engine 5 tech demo for The Witcher 4, that includes beautiful environments, an in depth open world, in-game areas and new Unreal Engine technical options. The almost 10-minute-long technological showcase, proven on the State of Unreal presentation on Tuesday, was working at a base PS5 at 60fps with ray-tracing turned on, in line with CD Projekt.

The Witcher 4 Tech Demo

Along with offering an early have a look at the world of The Witcher 4, the tech demo revealed the northern area of Kovir, a brand new setting that can make its first look within the collection. CDPR, nevertheless, has clarified that the demo wasn’t precise gameplay of The Witcher 4 itself, however a “deep dive into the technological basis of the brand new Witcher saga”, which suggests the ultimate recreation might not find yourself wanting just like the construct proven on the presentation.

Nonetheless, what was proven was spectacular — crisp character fashions for the sport’s protagonist Ciri and her horse Kelpie, dense foliage, detailed cities teeming with NPCs and a number of Unreal Engine 5 expertise and options that energy all of it.

“For the reason that strategic partnership was introduced in 2022, CDPR has been working with Epic Games to develop new instruments and improve current options in Unreal Engine 5 to increase the engine’s open-world growth capabilities and set up sturdy instruments geared towards CD PROJEKT RED’s open-world design philosophies,” the Polish studio stated in an replace on its website.

The technical showcase begins with Ciri navigating her method on foot down a mountain within the area of Kovir, on the path of a monster, earlier than getting on her horse, Kelpie, and using to the close by port city of Valdrest.

The demo then dives into the wild world of The Witcher 4, showcasing rugged snow-capped mountains and dense forests, that utilise Unreal’s new Nanite Foliage rendering expertise. The main focus then shifts again to Valdrest, a bustling city, the place we see Ciri work together with NPCs, that are proven to be responsive and going about their each day routines. At one level, the demo reveals over 300 animated NPCs in a single scene.

CD Projekt Red stated The Witcher 4 could be the “most immersive and bold open-world Witcher recreation ever”. The showcase ended with a glimpse at Lan Exeter, the winter capital and a significant port metropolis in Kovir.

The port city of Valdrest seen in The Witcher 4 tech demo
Picture Credit score: CD Projekt Pink

In response to CD Projekt and Epic, the instruments and expertise showcased within the demo will finally be launched to all UE builders, beginning with the discharge of Unreal Engine 5.6 on Tuesday.

“We began our partnership with Epic Video games to push open-world recreation expertise ahead. To indicate this early have a look at the work we have been doing utilizing Unreal Engine working at 60 FPS on PlayStation 5, is a big milestone — and a testomony of the nice cooperation between our groups,” CD Projekt Pink joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated in an announcement. “However we’re removed from completed. I stay up for seeing extra developments and provoking expertise from this partnership as growth of The Witcher 4 on Unreal Engine 5 continues.”

The Witcher 4 was revealed at The Recreation Awards 2024 with a cinematic trailer introducing Ciri because the protagonist of a brand new Witcher saga. CD Projekt has not but proven any gameplay from the upcoming RPG, because the tech demo doesn’t symbolize the ultimate recreation. Whereas there isn’t any confirmed launch timeline for The Witcher 4, the developer said at its FY 2024 earnings conference in March that the sport wouldn’t be launched earlier than 2027.