Witcher 4 Devs Discuss Pre-Production Strategies

A Witcher 4 Genesis: How a Witcher 3 Side Quest Shaped the Next Chapter

The development of The Witcher 4 began, in part, with a seemingly unassuming side quest for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This initiative served as a crucial onboarding experience for new team members, smoothly transitioning them into the world and style of the upcoming Ciri-centric adventure.

The release of The Witcher 3 in 2015 established Ciri as a pivotal character, though primarily a supporting role. The December 2024 Game Awards trailer, however, confirmed her starring role in The Witcher 4, launching a new trilogy.

The "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" side quest, added to Witcher 3 in late 2022, served a dual purpose. It promoted the game's next-gen update and provided in-game justification for the armor worn by Henry Cavill in the Netflix series. According to Philipp Webber, narrative director for The Witcher 4 and quest designer for Witcher 3, this quest acted as an initiation for new team members, allowing them to immerse themselves in the Witcher universe before fully engaging with The Witcher 4's development.

Bridging the Gap: From Witcher 3 to Witcher 4

Webber described the side quest as "the perfect start to getting back into the vibe," perfectly aligning with the Witcher 4 announcement in March 2022. While pre-announcement planning undoubtedly existed, the side quest provides a tangible starting point for integrating new talent.

While Webber didn't name specific individuals, it's plausible that some team members transitioned from the Cyberpunk 2077 team (released in 2020). This, along with speculation of a Phantom Liberty-style skill tree in The Witcher 4, adds intrigue to the timeline of new team member integration. The side quest's role in this transition offers a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes preparation for the next major chapter in the Witcher saga.