CD Projekt Red Confirms No Changes to Ciri’s Face in The Witcher 4

Since its reveal, The Witcher 4 has sparked plenty of excitement and controversy. With Ciri stepping into the spotlight as the new protagonist, there’s been no shortage of discussion about her design. While many fans are thrilled to see her return as a standalone character, some were less impressed with how she looked in the reveal trailer.

Backlash and Claims of "Ugly" Design

A vocal minority of fans quickly voiced their displeasure, claiming that CD Projekt Red (CDPR) had intentionally made Ciri "ugly" and that her design was a product of “wokeness” or unnecessary changes. This backlash was strong enough that some called for her face to be redesigned to better match their expectations of the character, leading to a flurry of speculation about whether CDPR would listen and make adjustments.

However, a new behind-the-scenes trailer released by CDPR seemed to stir the pot even further. In the footage, Ciri appeared slightly different than in the final reveal trailer, which led some fans to believe that the studio had indeed altered her design following the backlash. The difference, however, was simply due to the unfinished nature of the behind-the-scenes footage, which was raw and lacked lighting, facial animations, and the polished look of the final product.

CD Projekt Red Responds

Game director Sebastian Kalemba took to Twitter to clarify the situation once and for all. He confirmed that the model seen in both the behind-the-scenes trailer and the reveal trailer is the same. The perceived differences were simply due to the early-stage footage, where elements like lighting and camera angles weren’t finalized. Kalemba stressed that it's common for models to appear different depending on the medium and development phase.

"The behind-the-scenes video features the same in-game model of Ciri as seen in the original trailer. We have not modified it. What you’re seeing is raw footage - without facial animation, lighting, or virtual camera lenses."

-- Kalemba explained

This response should put an end to the speculation that CDPR has made changes to Ciri’s design. While the studio has acknowledged the backlash, it’s clear that they are sticking with the character's current look, reinforcing their commitment to the design choices made early in development.

Moving Forward with The Witcher 4

With The Witcher 4 still in development, it's likely that more details will continue to emerge as the game gets closer to release. Ciri’s character and design are sure to be points of focus, but for now, CDPR has made it clear that they have not altered her face in response to the criticism.

As the debate about her design quiets down, fans can look forward to diving deeper into Ciri’s journey as the new monster hunter. Whether you love or dislike her updated appearance, one thing is certain: The Witcher 4 is shaping up to be a massive chapter in the series, and Ciri is ready to lead the charge.