"Witcher 4 Ditches Fetch Quests, Following Witcher 3's Lead"

The Witcher 4 will carry forward The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's approach of avoiding mundane fetch quests. Discover how the upcoming title continues the acclaimed storytelling methods of its predecessor and what players can expect from its quest design philosophy.

The Witcher 4 Will Not Feature Fetch Quests

Carrying Forward the Witcher 3 Legacy

CD Projekt Red (CDPR) remains committed to crafting meaningful player experiences, continuing the successful formula established in The Witcher 3. As stated by Narrative Director Philipp Weber in a June 27 interview with GamesRadar+, the studio’s creative vision is still centered around making players emotionally invested in their journey.

Weber reflected on his time as a Quest Designer for The Witcher 3, explaining how that experience informs his leadership on The Witcher 4. He emphasized the importance of fostering a team environment where every member feels motivated to create something special. "I want everyone to feel ownership over what we're creating," he said. "It's about balancing guidance with creative freedom—something I learned firsthand working on The Witcher 3."

High-Quality Storytelling Without Mundane Tasks

One of the key reasons The Witcher 3 resonated so deeply with players was its refusal to include meaningless fetch quests. CDPR intends to uphold this standard in The Witcher 4. According to Weber, each quest must offer genuine value to the player's time.

"I have to feel that my time was well spent playing that quest—not just filled with busywork," Weber explained. "If I’m immersed in a story or experiencing something unique, then it’s worth it. That fundamental rule remains intact."

Learning from Past Projects

Drawing from lessons learned during the development of both The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, CDPR is focusing on core storytelling principles. Weber noted that while innovation is encouraged, the foundation of quest design remains rooted in tried-and-true methods. "New features are great, but the basics? Those never change—we trust our instincts and stay true to what works."

CDPR has always excelled at crafting morally complex and thought-provoking quests. Based on current insights, The Witcher 4 will continue this tradition, offering players diverse scenarios that challenge their decisions and perspectives.

In a previous interview with GamesRadar+ on June 13, Weber expressed excitement about the breadth of quest ideas being developed. The team aims to maintain variety while delivering emotionally impactful narratives that keep players engaged.

Understanding the Tech Demo

Although fans are eager to see gameplay footage, CDPR has clarified that the Unreal Engine 5 tech demo released earlier is not representative of the final game. Engineering Production Manager Jan Hermanowicz reiterated this point in a June 30 interview with GamesRadar+, stating that the demo was purely a technical showcase.

"The UE5 demo is not gameplay—it's a tech presentation," Hermanowicz explained. While the assets were created internally by CDPR, many changes are expected as the game is still in early development.

This cautious approach stems from past experiences, particularly the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. "We’ve taken a lot of lessons from that," Hermanowicz added. "We’re not calling this gameplay, nor are we pretending it reflects the full game. It’s simply a technological demonstration."

Despite these caveats, fan anticipation remains high. Many are optimistic due to the visual fidelity shown in the tech demo and CDPR’s promise that the final version will run at 60 frames per second on PlayStation 5. However, the Xbox Series S may struggle to maintain that performance level, according to prior statements from the studio.

The Witcher 4 is currently scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. No official release date has been announced yet. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.