"Witcher 4 UE5 Tech Demo: Just a Showcase"

The Witcher 4’s State of Unreal 2025 tech demo offered a glimpse into the game’s potential, but it’s important to remember—this was a tech demo, not a final product. While the visuals were stunning and ran at a smooth 60fps on base PS5 hardware, CD Projekt Red has made it clear that this presentation serves more as a proof of concept than a definitive look at the finished game.

Targeting 60fps on Base PS5

During the State of Unreal 2025 event, the demo impressed audiences with its photorealistic graphics and fluid performance, maintaining 60 frames per second on standard PS5 hardware. According to a CD Projekt Red representative in a June 3 interview with Eurogamer, achieving 60fps on PS5 remains a key goal, though no final performance targets have been locked in across platforms.

The studio emphasized that development is still in early stages and that they’re collaborating closely with Epic Games to deliver an open-world experience that balances visual fidelity with smooth, responsive gameplay. “It’s still too early to confirm exact specs for every platform,” the rep noted, “but we’re committed to making a game that looks incredible and plays seamlessly.”

While the demo raised excitement, CDPR is cautious about managing expectations. The studio recalls the backlash following Cyberpunk 2077’s launch, where high expectations met technical shortcomings. This time, they’re being transparent: the tech demo does not reflect the final game. Instead, it highlights the tools and engine features being developed in Unreal Engine 5. Specific character models, environments, and mechanics shown may differ significantly from what appears in the final release.

Unreal Engine 5 Tech Demo: A Showcase of Potential

The 14-minute presentation demonstrated Unreal Engine 5.6’s cutting-edge capabilities, including advanced ray tracing, Nanite geometry, and Lumen lighting. It opened with a cinematic ambush—Ciri arriving at the wreckage of a monster-attacked carriage—before transitioning into real-time gameplay.

Players take control of Ciri as she explores the snowy landscape, interacts with the environment, and uncovers clues. The demo highlighted Kelpie, Ciri’s intelligent horse companion, featuring lifelike animations powered by UE5’s ML Deformer system. This technology enables realistic muscle deformation and movement, enhancing immersion during traversal.

Key Unreal Engine 5 features showcased include:

• Nanite Foliage: Enables dense, highly detailed vegetation without performance drops.
• Fast Geo Streaming: Allows instant loading of vast open-world regions, eliminating traditional loading screens.
• MetaHuman AI Crowds: Populates towns with realistic NPCs driven by advanced AI.
• Mass Framework: Manages complex crowd behaviors and dynamic interactions at scale.

The demo also introduced Kovir, a new region never before seen in The Witcher series, known in lore for its neutrality and wealth. Ciri visits Valdrest, a remote mountain town serving as a port in this icy region, offering a fresh setting rich in atmosphere and storytelling potential.

Notably, no combat gameplay was shown. The focus remained on graphical fidelity, world-building, and engine capabilities rather than action sequences. Still, fans were captivated by the level of detail and the promise of a next-generation Witcher experience.

The Witcher 4 is confirmed for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, though no official launch window has been announced. For the latest updates, keep an eye on official channels and trusted coverage.