The director of The Witcher 4, Sebastian Kalemba, has clarified that a recently released behind-the-scenes video features the same in-game model of Ciri, dispelling rumors that her face had been altered. The video, released by CD Projekt, provided fans with new glimpses of Ciri at the 2:11 and 5:47 marks, sparking discussions about her appearance. Some fans noted slight differences in her facial features compared to the cinematic reveal trailer, leading to speculation that CD Projekt might have responded to earlier criticism about Ciri's look.
However, Kalemba took to social media to clarify that no modifications had been made to Ciri's in-game model. He explained that the footage in the behind-the-scenes video was raw, without the cinematic enhancements like facial animation, lighting, and virtual camera lenses that were applied in the reveal trailer. "The behind-the-scenes video features the same in-game model of Ciri as seen in the original trailer," Kalemba stated. He emphasized that the variations seen are a normal part of the game development process, where character appearances can differ based on the medium used, whether it's a trailer, a 3D model, or in-game.
The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new trilogy set after the events of The Witcher 3, with Ciri taking the lead role instead of Geralt. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga, in an exclusive interview with IGN, highlighted Ciri as the "very organic, logical choice" for the protagonist. She pointed out Ciri's rich, layered character and the natural progression from the books, where Ciri's story was always central. Kalemba added that Ciri's younger age allows for more player freedom in defining her character, offering developers more room to explore her narrative.
Despite potential backlash from some fans about Ciri's role, both Mitręga and Kalemba affirmed that Ciri was always intended to be the main character. Kalemba emphasized that the decision was deliberate and not random, driven by Ciri's compelling story and the challenges she faces, which provide ample material for an epic saga.
In a separate interview with IGN about Netflix's upcoming animated film, The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep, Geralt's voice actor Doug Cockle expressed excitement about the shift to Ciri as the protagonist in The Witcher 4. He praised the move as interesting and aligned with the developments in the books, encouraging fans to explore the source material.
For more insights into The Witcher 4, check out our exclusive content, including a trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt discussing how they plan to avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch disaster.
