The Witcher 4 Development: CD Projekt Red Faces Technical Challenges
CD Projekt Red is currently in the process of developing The Witcher 4 for the latest generation of consoles and PC. The studio has described this endeavor as a significant technical challenge, particularly in achieving a consistent 60 frames per second (fps) performance on the Xbox Series S.
Focus on Consoles
During a discussion with Digital Foundry, Charles Tremblay, Vice President of Technology at CD Projekt Red, emphasized that The Witcher 4’s development is primarily geared towards consoles, with a strong emphasis on optimizing the game for the PlayStation 5 to run at 60fps.
Tremblay explained that traditionally, the studio would prioritize developing the PC version first and then adjusting the game’s performance based on the specifications of each console. However, for The Witcher 4, the approach is different, with a deliberate focus on console development from the outset.
Challenges with Xbox Series S
At the recent Epic Games event showcasing Unreal Engine 5, it was revealed that the PS5 would take the lead in development, with the target of achieving 60fps performance. This discussion also addressed the challenges posed by the Xbox Series S.
When questioned about the feasibility of achieving 60fps on the less powerful Microsoft console for such an ambitious game, Tremblay acknowledged, “it’s our next priority, but achieving 60fps on the Series S will be a significant challenge.”
CD Projekt Red remains adamant about not compromising on 60fps, viewing it as an achievable goal for the base PS5, Xbox Series X, and PS5 Pro. However, there are uncertainties surrounding the performance on the Xbox Series S.

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