An ongoing tradition at Epic Games' major keynotes is the presentation of a visually stunning tech demo that highlights the incredible capabilities of its game engine. This year, during the State of Unreal event, Epic turned to renowned game developer CD Projekt Red, famous for its work on blockbuster titles like The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077. The latest demo offers a breathtaking glimpse into a fantastical world filled with blood, fire, monsters, and a brand new horse.
The demo was crafted using the state-of-the-art Unreal Engine 5.6, showcasing the new protagonist, Ciri, as she navigates through lush forested landscapes and a vibrant marketplace known as Valdrest. Epic Games designed this demonstration to illustrate how the latest version of Unreal Engine excels in handling both bustling environments and intricate foliage in an expansive open-world setting.
One of the standout features highlighted in this demo is the significant advancement in horse technology since the release of The Witcher 3. Epic Games proudly announced that the demo runs seamlessly on a base model PS5, achieving 60 frames per second with ray tracing enabled. The presentation included a live demonstration, where developers showcased gameplay on stage, further emphasizing the engine's capabilities.
We have been aware since 2022 that CD Projekt Red transitioned to Unreal Engine 5 for its upcoming Witcher game, following a partnership with Epic Games. This strategic move likely stems from the technical challenges encountered during the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. Last year, the developer officially announced The Witcher 4, featuring Ciri as the new lead character, accompanied by an exciting cinematic trailer. However, details regarding the game's launch remain undisclosed.
For those interested in witnessing the full keynote, you can find the complete presentation online. Simply scroll back to the beginning to catch the segment on The Witcher 4.
