The Witcher 4’s Console-First Strategy: CD Projekt Red Tries to Banish Cyberpunk’s Ghosts

This caught my attention because, let’s be honest, CD Projekt Red’s last big game launch is still a fresh wound for a lot of us. The Witcher 4 is shaping up to be a fascinating test: can the studio truly learn from Cyberpunk 2077’s disaster by putting consoles first? A recent Unreal Engine 5 tech demo running on PlayStation 5 finally gives us a glimpse at how they’re redefining their approach-and whether that “console-first” mantra is just PR spin or a real change in priorities for RPG fans.

The Witcher 4: Console-First Ambitions and CDPR’s High-Stakes Tech Demo

• Aiming for 60 fps on console: CDPR showcased a PS5 tech demo with dense forests and a bustling village, setting a high performance bar.
• Console-first = lessons learned: They’re prioritizing console stability and experience over the high-end PC “scale down” approach that burned them with Cyberpunk 2077.
• Early days, cautious optimism: The demo looks great but has no gameplay yet-CDPR openly admits it’s a technical showcase, not a gameplay reveal.
• The stakes are huge: If this approach works, it could reshape how AAA RPGs are built for multi-platform launches. If not, expect a lot of side-eye from fans.

Feature	Specification
Publisher	CD Projekt Red
Release Date	TBA
Genres	Action RPG, Open World
Platforms	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

After Cyberpunk 2077 launched in what can only be described as a historic mess-especially on last-gen consoles—it’s honestly refreshing to see CDPR own that failure and pivot. In this new demo, the company decided not to show off ultra-maxed-out PC visuals, but instead highlighted The Witcher 4 engine tech running directly on a PS5. This isn’t just a PR bullet point—it’s a signal that they know where things went wrong before. Julius K., one of the Unreal tech leads, said it flat: “We really want to be more console-first in development.”

What does this actually look like in action? The demo featured a “dense, large, and dynamic forest,” complete with hitch-free traversal and an interactive, lived-in village—all reportedly running at 60 fps. That’s not just a nice-to-have: it means CDPR is targeting next-gen hardware as their baseline, rather than bolting on console support after chasing PC graphics glory. If you remember how bad the Cyberpunk 2077 experience was on anything less than a top-tier rig (or, heaven forbid, a launch PS4), this is a big deal.

But let’s temper the hype a bit. CDPR was clear: this is an environment and tech demonstration—no combat, no AI, not even a functioning gameplay loop yet. The real challenges will come when systems collide: physics, AI, NPC routines, monster battles, and all the “Witcher” stuff that turns a demo into a living, breathing game. As a long-time RPG player, I’ve seen plenty of impressive tech demos that buckle under the full weight of gameplay integration. Remember Ubisoft’s Unity-era Assassin’s Creed demos? Gorgeous until you added hundreds of NPCs and real player input.

Still, the ambition here is undeniable. CDPR says nailing 60 fps on PS5 is a “pillar” for this project. Cinematic director Kajetan Kapuściński even called it their first priority in talks with Epic. This fits a growing trend of devs putting console optimization at the core of development, rather than a late-stage compromise. For gamers, especially those who lived through PS4’s Cyberpunk trainwreck, this should provide some cautious optimism.

For me, the demo’s lush forest is more than just next-gen eye candy—it’s a statement. “The forest is super important for this game; you want the player to want to explore,” CDPR’s Charles Tremblay explained. And honestly, the joy of losing hours in The Witcher’s wilds is central to the series’ appeal. The fact that even CDPR’s tech VP admits to sleepless nights over making it work on console? That’s the kind of vulnerability I want to see from AAA studios post-Cyberpunk, not more empty bravado.

What This Means for Gamers: Real Change or Another PR Safeguard?

So, what’s the bottom line for those of us who actually play these games, not just watch the trailers? If CDPR sticks to this approach—testing new tech on consoles first and targeting smooth 60 fps as non-negotiable—the risk of another broken launch should shrink. Sure, early demos are always controlled environments, but the honesty about what’s missing suggests CDPR knows gamers won’t tolerate another botched release.

Of course, skepticism is justified. Every publisher says they’ve “learned” from the past, and crunch-time development could compromise these lofty targets. Unreal Engine 5 brings potential, but also new pitfalls—especially when trying to merge massive, dynamic worlds with performance stability on fixed hardware. The timeline is still muddy, there’s zero gameplay, and no playable sections have been shown.

If it works, though, CDPR’s “console-first, PC-scaled-up” approach could set a new bar for open-world RPG launches. The studio’s reputation with core RPG fans is still bruised, but bold changes like these are how you earn trust back. If you care about stable launches and genuine next-gen worlds, keep an eye on Witcher 4’s devlogs—and keep your fingers crossed that this time, ambition and discipline walk hand-in-hand.

TL;DR: CDPR is betting big on console-first development for The Witcher 4, aiming for buttery 60 fps and memorable open worlds on PS5/Xbox. The tech demo is promising, but with no gameplay in sight, it’s too early to declare victory. If they really walk the talk, we could see a new standard for AAA RPG launches. If not, well, nobody’s forgotten about Night City’s launch day echoes.