Gamers, let’s talk about that jaw-dropping cinematic trailer for The Witcher 4. Sure, it wasn’t actual gameplay, but according to the tech-savvy crew at Digital Foundry, some of the assets and technologies featured might just make it into the final game—albeit with a little less pizzazz.
So, how much of what we saw is realistic for real-time rendering on Unreal Engine 5? Let’s dig in!
Trailer Magic: Unreal Engine 5 at Its Best
The cinematic trailer was crafted using Unreal Engine 5, which means anything is possible visually. From lifelike lighting to intricate character models, the engine allows for near-limitless creativity.
But, according to Digital Foundry’s John Linneman, certain elements like lighting, character shading, and fabric physics seem viable for in-game use, even if scaled down.
“The lighting looks viable. The skin shading is viable… The fabric physics? Sure, that’s possible. It’s the post-processing that might push beyond what’s possible in real-time,” says Digital Foundry.
Signs of Realism: Clues in the Trailer
While the trailer was pre-rendered, analysts picked up on details suggesting some assets could transition into the final game.
Textural and Geometric Imperfections
For example:
- Rocks close to the camera didn’t have perfect geometry.
- Hair appeared slightly angular in some scenes.
- Certain textures lacked the polish you’d expect in purely cinematic renders.
These “imperfections” might indicate these were real game assets used as placeholders. As Oliver Mackenzie of Digital Foundry put it:
“The rocks don’t look flawless in terms of geometry. The hair is a bit angular. These could be assets from the game.”
Lighting and Surface Interaction
One standout feature of the trailer was the way light interacts with surfaces—a hallmark of ray tracing technology. Digital Foundry suggests this lighting could be implemented in gameplay, albeit at lower fidelity, especially on current-gen consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S.
Comparisons to Hellblade 2
Some of the trailer’s graphical feats, like facial modeling and animations, were compared to Hellblade 2, another Unreal Engine 5 title. While impressive, they don’t necessarily push new boundaries.
For instance:
- Character faces and teeth were well-modeled but not groundbreaking.
- Action scenes showcased believable but not hyper-realistic animation fidelity.
This reinforces the theory that CD Projekt Red might balance cutting-edge visuals with what’s achievable on consumer-grade hardware.
Real-Time Gameplay: What to Expect
The Witcher 4’s final graphics will likely be scaled to run efficiently on a variety of platforms. Here’s what could carry over from the trailer:
- Ray Tracing Lighting
Expect ray tracing to remain a highlight, but with scalable options for performance on PCs and consoles. - Character Models and Textures
Character designs and assets seen in the trailer could appear in-game with slightly reduced quality. - Dynamic Environments
The lighting and material interactions showcased in the trailer seem optimized for the kind of immersive worlds The Witcher is known for.
Can Consoles Handle It?
Let’s face it: the fidelity seen in the trailer is a bit much for most consoles to handle in real-time. However, CD Projekt Red’s history suggests they’ll make it work. Like other recent releases, expect a mix of:
- High settings for top-tier PCs.
- Dynamic scaling and graphical adjustments for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Optimized performance modes for consoles like the Xbox Series S.
Digital Foundry’s Take: Optimistic but Realistic
In their analysis, Digital Foundry concluded that while the trailer sets a high bar, much of it could translate into gameplay—just not at the same level of fidelity.
“There’s nothing in the character models we haven’t seen before. The lighting, though, is a step above what consoles typically offer,” noted Linneman.
What This Means for The Witcher 4
If this trailer is anything to go by, The Witcher 4 is shaping up to be a visual powerhouse. While some compromises will be necessary for real-time rendering, the game will likely push the boundaries of what’s possible with current-gen hardware and Unreal Engine 5.
For fans, this means a rich, immersive world where graphics enhance gameplay without sacrificing performance.
Final Thoughts: A Glimpse of What’s to Come
The Witcher 4’s cinematic trailer has sparked excitement and speculation, and for good reason. Whether it’s ray tracing lighting, improved physics, or assets reused from the trailer, one thing is clear: CD Projekt Red is aiming for an ambitious next step in the franchise.
Want to hear all the details? Check out Digital Foundry’s video for a deep dive into their analysis (and maybe use auto-translate if you’re not fluent in English).
What are you most excited about for The Witcher 4? Let us know in the comments below!
