Was the Witcher 4 tech demo misleading? A closer look at what CDPR showed, what was real, and why fans may have misunderstood the reveal.
-Amlan Shekhar Baruah
When CD Projekt Red unveiled the Witcher 4 tech demo during the State of Unreal event, fans were stunned. The demo, rendered in Unreal Engine 5, looked almost too good to be true—crisp visuals, atmospheric lighting, detailed environments, and lifelike NPC animations. For a moment, it felt like a glimpse into the future of open-world RPGs.
But then came the clarification: it wasn’t actual Witcher 4 gameplay. Not even a slice of it. Just a technical showcase. And suddenly, excitement turned into doubt. Were we misled? Or did we let our own expectations run ahead of reality?
Setting the Stage: What Was the Witcher 4 Tech Demo?
First, let’s clarify what the Witcher 4 tech demo actually was. The footage shown was developed by CD Projekt Red in collaboration with Epic Games to demonstrate the power of Unreal Engine 5. It featured the new protagonist Ciri, (whom we already played as for a while in Witcher 3 walking through a medieval town, engaging in combat, and interacting with NPCs. It ran live on a PlayStation 5 devkit, meaning it wasn’t pre-rendered—but crucially, it wasn’t a slice of Witcher 4 gameplay either.
The goal wasn’t to reveal the game but to highlight what could be done with the engine. In interviews, CD Projekt Red was fairly clear: this wasn’t representative of the final game. But for many fans watching online, the context wasn’t immediately obvious.
The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Misleading
So, were we fooled by the Witcher 4 tech demo? Technically, no. The demo never claimed to be direct footage from the upcoming game. There were disclaimers, and the developers clarified its purpose afterward. However, the presentation—with its dramatic camera angles, familiar lore-based setting, and fluid animations—felt awfully close to a real gameplay reveal.
This is where things get blurry. In the age of vertical slices and polished previews, even non-gameplay footage can feel like a promise. And for a fanbase that’s been hungry for Witcher 4 news since 2022, it was easy to jump to conclusions. The line between showcasing technical capability and suggesting actual content has become increasingly thin.
Witcher 4 Gameplay: What Do We Actually Know?
As of now, very little official Witcher 4 gameplay has been revealed. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that the new game—codenamed Project Polaris—is in development and will be the beginning of a new saga in the Witcher universe. It’s also the studio’s first foray into using Unreal Engine 5, abandoning their proprietary REDengine.
While the Witcher 4 tech demo gave a visual taste of what might be possible, the actual gameplay mechanics, story, and structure remain under wraps. CDPR has stated that the switch to Unreal Engine was partly motivated by stability and flexibility, particularly for open-world environments. But until real gameplay footage surfaces, everything else is speculation.
Why the Tech Demo Still Matters
Even if it wasn’t actual Witcher 4 gameplay, the demo wasn’t meaningless. It offered insight into the tools and ambition behind the game. It also let us know that the tone and the worldbuilding will be similar to the first game. For fans who loved the gritty, lived-in world of The Witcher 3, the demo was a reassurance that the franchise isn’t losing its edge.
Moreover, from a development standpoint, creating a tech demo is often a necessary step. It allows the team to explore features like lighting, animation pipelines, and environmental design before full-scale production begins. In that sense, it’s not a deception—it’s part of the process.
What This Says About Modern Game Marketing
The Witcher 4 tech demo highlights a bigger trend in the gaming industry: the increasing reliance on cinematic showcases and engine-powered teasers. These types of demos are designed to build hype, secure investor confidence, and keep fans engaged during long development cycles.
But they can also backfire. If the final game doesn’t match the visual fidelity or fluidity of the early demos, accusations of downgrades or broken promises tend to follow. We’ve seen this with titles like Watch Dogs, Cyberpunk 2077, and even No Man’s Sky. The Witcher 4 tech demo wasn’t dishonest, but it still fits into this broader pattern where marketing can sometimes create unrealistic expectations.
Stay Grounded While Staying Excited
There’s no harm in being excited for Witcher 4. But at the same time, let us keep our expectations for Witcher 4 in check. CD Projekt Red has proven they can deliver deep, story-driven RPGs, and the shift to Unreal Engine 5 might help them avoid the technical pitfalls they encountered with Cyberpunk 2077. But until we see actual Witcher 4 gameplay, it’s wise to stay grounded.
As for the Witcher 4 tech demo, it served its purpose: to excite, to inspire, and to demonstrate technical direction. But it’s not a gameplay trailer. It’s not a story reveal. And it’s not a promise. It’s a sketch of a world that’s still being painted.
Final Thoughts
So, were we fooled by the Witcher 4 tech demo? Maybe not intentionally, but it certainly left a few people with the wrong impression. In today’s media-saturated environment, where “gameplay” can mean almost anything, clarity matters more than ever.
The best approach? Watch closely, ask questions, and temper excitement with a bit of caution. After all, we’ve been here before—and when it comes to AAA games, it’s rarely what you see at first that defines the experience. It’s what finally releases.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook to keep up with any Witcher 4 news.
Check out Geralt of Rivia and Dexter Morgan: The Similarity Between Two Butchers –
Also take a look at Five Mistakes Witcher 4 Needs to Avoid.
If you are a Witcher fan, also check out 10 of the most terrifying Witcher 3 characters- Ranked – Enigmatic Horizon
Author bio:
Amlan Sekhar Baruah is a gym trainer by profession and a gamer by passion. When he’s not helping people get fit, he dives into virtual worlds of games like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and many more. He loves to express his thoughts by writing about them for Enigmatic Horizon, sharing his opinions on gameplay, stories, and everything that makes gaming exciting.
His LinkedIn: Amlan Shekhar Baruah
