The Witcher 4's director clarifies Ciri's in-game model: No changes made.
Recent behind-the-scenes footage of The Witcher 4 sparked online discussion regarding Ciri's appearance. Two short clips, at the 2:11 and 5:47 marks, showcased close-ups of Ciri's face, leading some to believe her in-game model had been altered since the reveal trailer. Positive reactions to these clips, which showed a seemingly "older" Ciri, contrasted with earlier criticism of her appearance in the trailer.
However, The Witcher 4 game director Sebastian Kalemba dispelled these rumors on social media. He confirmed the in-game model remains unchanged, explaining the differences stem from the raw, unedited footage shown in the behind-the-scenes video. This footage lacked the cinematic lighting, animation, and camera effects applied to the reveal trailer. Kalemba emphasized that variations in character appearance are common during development, depending on the medium (trailer, 3D model, in-game).
The choice of Ciri as the protagonist for this new Witcher trilogy, set after The Witcher 3, was defended by both Kalemba and executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga. They highlighted Ciri's compelling character arc and the narrative opportunities afforded by focusing on her story. They acknowledged potential negative reactions but maintained that Ciri was always intended to be the lead.
Geralt's voice actor, Doug Cockle, also expressed enthusiasm for Ciri taking center stage, emphasizing the narrative potential stemming from the books. Further exclusive content on The Witcher 4, including a trailer breakdown and insights into avoiding a repeat of Cyberpunk 2077's launch issues, is available.
