The development team at CD Projekt RED has started preparing employees for the themes and aesthetic of their forthcoming game, Cyberpunk 2077, by tasking them with designing a quest for the project. The hunt, titled “Within the Everlasting Hearth’s Shadow,” received an update that also brought it to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.
Philipp Weber, narrative designer at X, shared insights on social media about the game’s development process, highlighting the collaborative effort between new designers, writers, and a seasoned senior quest designer who had been part of the studio since the original game’s inception.
“In 2018, we embarked on an exciting new journey,” posted Weber.
“For months, a team of new designers and writers worked tirelessly to bring this project to life, alongside one of our most experienced quest designers, who has been with us since its inception.” In conclusion, this marked a successful first step in re-establishing momentum.
As the protagonist ventures into the cave’s dark recesses, the weight of history settles like a shroud around them, for it was once a place where suffering and death reigned supreme – a makeshift quarantine zone for those afflicted with the plague, under the watchful eye of the local church. The Hunt offers various themes, beyond its already eerie horror-style setting. In typical fashion for quests in, numerous unexpected plot turns await players.
Improvement efforts had reached a fever pitch by November once more. The highly anticipated sport was officially revealed at The Game Awards in December, showcasing Ciri as its primary protagonist in an action-packed trailer. The possibility of Geralt’s involvement in the game is being explored, although further details remain undisclosed.
The surprise announcement that Ciri might become the new protagonist sparked controversy, prompting the studio to release a statement reaffirming that the game will adhere to the established canon based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s works. The studio has announced a significant change: the role of Ciri has been recast, as Jo Wyatt, who originally voiced the character, will not be reprising her part.
As the narrative unfolds, it’s evident that Ciri’s fighting style diverges significantly from Geralt’s, showcasing her unique skills and approach. In The Witcher series, Geralt’s refined swordsmanship has long been the hallmark of his prowess. In contrast, Ciri will shine with her nimble agility, employing swift attacks and clever evasive maneuvers to outmaneuver foes. With the trailer’s revelation, it seems Ciri might also wield the same alchemical potions that allowed Geralt to fend off monsters across various environments.
Despite being a next-generation sequel, the forthcoming game still perpetuates problems from the original by maintaining an open world set within the same vast expanse as its predecessor. While some gamers may initially encounter a high level of complexity regarding potential issues, the game’s ambitious approach ensures each non-playable character (NPC) will seem authentic, as if they’re living their own distinct story.
Is currently undergoing improvements for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. The studio has yet to introduce a launch date for the game. Here are ten details about it that you might not normally focus on:
Two years ago, we embarked on an exciting journey by launching our highly-anticipated expansion pack, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, set within the world of The Witcher 3. A team of fresh talent, including new designers and writers, has been working diligently to prepare for The Witcher 4, alongside one of our most experienced and long-serving quest designers, who has been with us since the inception of the iconic Witcher franchise. In retrospect, this marked the initial step towards recapturing the momentum.
— Philipp Weber (@PhiWeber)
