Epic Games and CD Projekt unveiled an impressive tech demo of The Witcher 4, powered by Unreal Engine 5.

During Epic’s State of Unreal 2025 event, a technical showcase highlighted advanced technology driving the next Witcher chapter. Epic clarified this was a tech demo, not the full game, but it offers a glimpse into what players can anticipate.

“Three years ago, when we introduced Unreal Engine 5, CD Projekt Red joined us to enhance the engine’s open-world capabilities,” Epic stated. “At State of Unreal, we showcased our collaborative efforts.”

The Witcher 4 Unreal Engine 5 tech demo follows Ciri navigating Kovir, a new region confirmed as playable in the game. The demo highlights Unreal Engine 5.6’s open-world features, running at 60 frames per second with ray tracing on a standard PlayStation 5. It utilizes the Fast Geometry Streaming Plugin for swift open-world loading. In one scene, CD Projekt increased the market’s NPC count to 300 uniquely animated characters. The demo concluded with a glimpse of Lan Exeter, Kovir’s winter capital and key port city.

Epic’s official statement reads:

As Ciri roams Valdrest’s vibrant market, Unreal Engine 5.6 manages complex scenes with high-fidelity characters and effects like ML Deformer. The demo also features Nanite Foliage, delivering lush, efficient vegetation rendering, set for release in UE 5.7.

CD Projekt added:

This tech demo introduces Kovir, debuting in the video game series with The Witcher 4. It follows Ciri and her horse Kelpie as they traverse Kovir’s rugged mountains, dense forests, and the lively port town of Valdrest.

While the demo teases The Witcher 4’s visual potential, the game’s release remains distant, with CD Projekt targeting 2027 at the earliest.

This timeline rules out launches this year or next, with 2027 as the earliest possible release. However, given the video game industry’s unpredictable nature, a 2028 debut is possible.

The Witcher 4 Unreal Engine 5 Tech Demo Screenshots

Speculation about The Witcher 4 being exclusive to next-gen consoles, like a potential PlayStation 6 or Microsoft’s rumored 2027 Xbox Series X successor, has surfaced. However, this demo, running on a base PS5, suggests it will be a cross-generation title, similar to Cyberpunk 2077’s 2020 launch.

The Witcher 4 kicks off a new trilogy set after The Witcher 3, with Ciri as the protagonist instead of Geralt.

In an exclusive IGN interview before the reveal, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga called Ciri “the natural choice.”

“Her story always felt central, from the books to now. She’s a rich, multifaceted character. After bidding farewell to Geralt, her role feels destined,” Mitręga said.

In a January interview with IGN about Netflix’s upcoming animated film, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, Geralt’s voice actor Doug Cockle endorsed CD Projekt’s choice to focus on Ciri.

“I’m thrilled,” Cockle said. “Shifting to Ciri is a brilliant move, especially given her arc in the books, which I won’t spoil. It’s exciting, and I’m eager to see their vision.”

More exclusive Witcher 4 content is available, including a trailer analysis and an interview with CD Projekt detailing how they aim to avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch mishap.