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, showed close-ups of Ciri's face, leading some to believe her model had been altered since the reveal trailer. Positive comments followed, with some praising the "slightly older" look.
However, The Witcher 4 game director Sebastian Kalemba stated on social media that Ciri's in-game model remains unchanged. The differences observed are attributed to the raw, unedited footage shown in the behind-the-scenes video, lacking the cinematic lighting, animation, and camera effects present in the reveal trailer. Kalemba emphasized that variations in character appearance are common during development, depending on the context (trailer, 3D model, in-game).
This clarifies concerns about a potential "backlash" influencing Ciri's design. The decision to feature Ciri as the protagonist in this new Witcher trilogy, following the events of The Witcher 3, was deliberate, according to executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga, stating it was a natural progression from the books and a fitting continuation of the saga. The younger age of Ciri also allows for more character development and exploration.
Geralt's voice actor, Doug Cockle, also expressed enthusiasm for Ciri's role as protagonist, highlighting the narrative potential. Further exclusive content on The Witcher 4, including a trailer breakdown and an interview detailing the game's development process, is available.
