Witcher 4: Development Team Prepares for Epic Sequel

A Witcher 4 Genesis: How a Witcher 3 Side Quest Prepared the Team

The development of The Witcher 4, featuring Ciri in the lead role for a new trilogy, began surprisingly with a seemingly minor addition to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Two years before the official announcement of Witcher 4, a side quest titled "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" was released for Witcher 3. This quest, while promoting the game's next-gen update and offering players a canonical explanation for acquiring Henry Cavill's Netflix armor, served a crucial behind-the-scenes purpose.

Philipp Webber, narrative director for The Witcher 4 and quest designer for The Witcher 3, revealed on social media that this side quest acted as an onboarding experience for new team members joining the project. It provided them with a crucial immersion into the Witcher universe and established the necessary atmosphere before they fully engaged with The Witcher 4's development. Webber described it as "the perfect start to getting back into the vibe."

This aligns perfectly with the timeline. The Witcher 4, announced in March 2022, was preceded by the "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" quest's release in late 2022. While pre-announcement planning undoubtedly existed, the side quest provides insight into the team's practical approach to integrating new talent.

While Webber didn't name specific individuals, it's speculated that some team members transitioned from CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 team (released in 2020). This, combined with speculation of a Phantom Liberty-style skill tree in The Witcher 4, further emphasizes the potential impact of this unique onboarding strategy. The side quest, therefore, wasn't just a small addition to The Witcher 3; it was a foundational element in the creation of The Witcher 4.