The Witcher 4's Genesis: A Side Quest's Unexpected Role

CD Projekt Red's journey into The Witcher 4 began surprisingly with a seemingly minor addition to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. A special quest, "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow," served as an onboarding experience for new team members, seamlessly integrating them into the Witcher universe before tackling the ambitious Ciri-centric sequel.

This revelation comes from Philipp Webber, the quest designer for The Witcher 3 who now holds the narrative director role for The Witcher 4. He described the side quest as the perfect way to "get back into the vibe," a crucial step in preparing the team for the next chapter. This aligns perfectly with the March 2022 announcement of The Witcher 4, approximately nine months before the side quest's release in late 2022. While pre-announcement planning undoubtedly existed, the side quest provides a tangible starting point for the team's creative process.

The quest, initially conceived as promotion for the game's next-gen update and a canon explanation for Henry Cavill's Netflix armor, inadvertently became a training ground. While Webber refrained from naming specific individuals, it's plausible that some team members transitioned from the Cyberpunk 2077 team, given its 2020 release. This timeline also fuels speculation about The Witcher 4's potential skill tree, possibly mirroring the structure of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion.

Ciri's ascension to the lead role in The Witcher 4, marking the start of a new trilogy, further emphasizes the significance of this carefully orchestrated transition. The side quest wasn't just a game update; it was the foundation upon which The Witcher 4's narrative team was built.