The Witcher 4 devs push back against Ciri controversy – “we’re not suddenly making stuff up”

CD Projekt Red surprised audiences at The Game Awards 2024 by announcing The Witcher 4 with Ciri as the protagonist, diverging from the series' usual focus on Geralt. This decision met with mixed reactions, especially from fans devoted to Geralt. Game director Sebastian Kalemba and narrative director Philipp Weber emphasized their commitment to the lore of Andrzej Sapkowski’s books and previous games, stating that Ciri's role aligns with the established storyline. They expressed excitement about exploring new gameplay opportunities with Ciri's character. Despite understanding fans' attachment to Geralt, the developers believe Ciri offers a fresh narrative and gameplay potential. The game does not have a release date yet and is not expected before 2025.
RATING
The article provides a comprehensive overview of CD Projekt Red's decision to feature Ciri as the protagonist in The Witcher 4. It is well-structured and informative, though there are some areas where it could improve in terms of balance and source quality.
RATING DETAILS
The article accurately reports on the announcement of The Witcher 4 and the inclusion of Ciri as the protagonist, referencing statements from key figures at CD Projekt Red and aligning with known developments in the game series. However, it could benefit from more precise details about the context of the interview with Eurogamer.
The article presents the perspectives of the game developers and acknowledges potential fan disappointment. However, it could improve by including more voices, such as fan reactions or opinions from gaming industry analysts, to provide a more rounded view.
The article is well-written, with clear language and a logical structure. It avoids emotive language and provides a straightforward explanation of the game's development and narrative choices.
The article cites an interview with Eurogamer, a reputable gaming industry source, but lacks direct quotes or a link to the original interview. Including additional sources or direct references would enhance credibility and provide a fuller context.
While the article discusses the reasoning behind the game's development choices, it does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as advertising partnerships with CD Projekt Red or Eurogamer, which would improve transparency.