CD Projekt Red recently shared exciting details about The Witcher 4, including the introduction of fresh locales and formidable monsters, during an interview on Gamertag Radio.
The Witcher 4: Exploring Uncharted Territories and Monsters
Unveiling the Mystery Village and its Monstrous Deity
Following the Game Awards 2024, a conversation between Gamertag Radio co-host Parris and The Witcher 4’s game director Sebastian Kalemba and executive producer Gosia Mitręga (December 14, 2024) shed light on the game's upcoming features. The upcoming title will boast entirely new regions and a host of never-before-seen monsters.
While Ciri steps into Geralt's shoes as a Witcher, her adventures will lead players to unexplored corners of the Continent. Kalemba revealed the village showcased in the trailer is named "Stromford," a place where unsettling rituals involve the sacrifice of young girls to appease their "god."
This "god," as unveiled by Kalemba, is a creature known as "Bauk," inspired by Serbian mythology. Described as a "tricky, tricky, tricky bastard," Bauk is a terrifying presence that instills fear in its victims. Beyond Bauk, players can anticipate encounters with "plenty of new monsters."
While Kalemba expressed enthusiasm about discussing the new regions and monsters, he remained tight-lipped, teasing, "You are on the Continent, but you’re experiencing something completely new, which is amazing, and I cannot wait to actually show it to you, but I cannot tell you more right now."
A subsequent interview with Skill UP (December 15, 2024) confirmed that Witcher 4's map size will be "more or less" comparable to The Witcher 3. Given Stromford's location in the Continent's "far North," Ciri's journey appears to extend beyond Geralt's explorations, tackling monster-related challenges in uncharted territories.
Elevating The Witcher 4's Non-Player Characters (NPCs)
Returning to the Gamertag Radio interview, Kalemba highlighted the significant advancements in NPC development for The Witcher 4.
Parris noted The Witcher 3's reuse of NPC models, contrasting it with the "a lot of diversity" shown in The Witcher 4's trailer. Kalemba responded that the team is striving to make "every single NPC" feel alive, each with "their own story." He emphasized the impact of close-knit communities in isolated villages, suggesting this will influence NPC interactions with Ciri and other characters.
CD Projekt Red is enhancing NPC models, focusing on improved visual quality, behavior, and facial expressions. "We want to make an even more immersive experience than we used to," Kalemba stated.
While details remain limited, the improvements suggest more engaging NPC interactions and potentially more immersive interactions between NPCs themselves. For further insights into The Witcher 4, explore our dedicated article!
