"Witcher 4 Director Clarifies: Ciri's Face Unchanged"

The director of *The Witcher 4* has set the record straight regarding a new video showcasing Ciri's in-game model, after some fans speculated that her face had been altered. CD Projekt recently released a behind-the-scenes look at the cinematic reveal trailer for *The Witcher 4*, which included two brief clips of Ciri at the 2:11 and 5:47 marks, zooming in on her face. These moments sparked discussions among fans, many of whom noticed a slight difference in Ciri's appearance compared to the official reveal trailer. Some fans expressed positive reactions, with one commenter praising the 5:47 mark as a "perfect representation of a slightly older Ciri," while others speculated that CD Projekt might have changed her face due to supposed backlash against her appearance in the reveal trailer.

However, *The Witcher 4* game director Sebastian Kalemba took to social media to clarify that the in-game model of Ciri shown in the behind-the-scenes video is the same as in the original trailer. He explained that the footage in the new video is "raw" and lacks the cinematic enhancements like facial animation, lighting, and virtual camera lenses that were applied for the reveal trailer. Kalemba emphasized that the variations seen are a normal part of the game development process, where a character's appearance can differ based on the medium, be it a trailer, a 3D model, or in-game.

This clarification was met with humorous reactions from some fans, such as a comment on the Witcher subreddit noting the impact of lighting on in-game face models. The new trilogy of Witcher games, starting with *The Witcher 4*, will feature Ciri as the protagonist, set after the events of *The Witcher 3*. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga, speaking exclusively to IGN, highlighted Ciri's selection as the protagonist as a "very organic, logical choice," citing her layered character and the natural progression from the Saga in the books. Kalemba further elaborated that Ciri's younger age allows for greater player freedom in defining her character, offering developers more room to explore her story.

Despite potential backlash from some quarters 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, driven by discussions dating back nine years, and rooted in Ciri's narrative potential and the challenges she faces. In support of this direction, Geralt's voice actor Doug Cockle, speaking to IGN in January, expressed excitement about the shift to Ciri, believing it to be a compelling move that aligns with the events in the books.

For more insights into *The Witcher 4*, IGN offers exclusive content including a trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt, detailing how the game will avoid a *Cyberpunk 2077*-style launch disaster.

Ciri at 2:11 in the new Witcher 4 video. Image credit: CD Projekt.