CD Projekt Red has made a bold statement with The Witcher 4, announcing that their highly-anticipated RPG is running smoothly on all target platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. This marked shift in development philosophy comes after the lessons learned from the disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077, which was plagued by bugs and performance issues across various platforms.
According to CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michal Nowakowski, the studio has undergone a significant change in approach since then. Gone are the days of prioritizing high-end PC visuals over console compatibility. “You come to the studio, you launch Witcher 4 right now,” Nowakowski confidently asserts. “You can launch it on PC. You can launch it on PS5. You can launch it on Xbox Series X, and it’s going to run.” This bold claim highlights the company’s commitment to delivering a seamless gaming experience across all platforms.
Nowakowski attributes this change in approach to the humbling lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077’s launch. “The way the studio was thinking was that we are reaching for the best possible visuals,” he admits. However, this led to a false assumption that toning down the game for current-gen consoles would be a relatively minor challenge. This hubris ultimately led to the game’s poor performance on multiple platforms.
Fortunately, CD Projekt Red has taken these lessons to heart and is now prioritizing cross-platform compatibility from day one. Nowakowski emphasizes that if any issues arise with The Witcher 4 on a specific platform, development will come to a halt until the problem is resolved. This more cautious approach means that the milestone process for the game has become more stringent. “Technically, we should hit let’s say, 10 checkmarks,” Nowakowski explains. “Back in the past, if we missed one or two, we were like, ‘we’re gonna catch up with that later on.'”
This renewed focus on cross-platform development is particularly promising for VR fans, who often face a frustrating wait to experience their favorite games in immersive virtual reality. With The Witcher 4 set to launch smoothly across all platforms, it’s likely that the game will be among the first to receive a VR treatment.
CD Projekt Red’s commitment to delivering high-quality gaming experiences also extends to their work on The Witcher 3’s expansion and remaster. The studio has partnered with Hungarian company Geeksoft, which is renowned for its extensive knowledge of the Red Engine used in both The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. This collaboration will undoubtedly result in a polished and authentic experience for fans.
Looking to the future, CD Projekt Red remains tight-lipped about their enigmatic Project Hadar. However, Nowakowski hints that more information may be forthcoming within the next five years. Until then, it’s back to work for the studio, focusing on delivering exceptional gaming experiences with The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4.
This shift in development philosophy marks a significant turning point for CD Projekt Red, one that promises a brighter future for gamers across all platforms. With their commitment to cross-platform compatibility, VR enthusiasts can finally look forward to experiencing their favorite games in immersive virtual reality – without the fear of performance issues or bugs holding them back.
Source: Game Developer XR — 2026-08-27