GoKawiilCD Projekt says Matrix Awakens demo, not Cyberpunk 2077 flop, drove switch to Unreal Engine 5
CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski said the decision to build The Witcher 4 on Unreal Engine 5 dates back to late 2021, after the studio saw Epic's Matrix Awakens tech demo, rather than being a reaction to Cyberpunk 2077's rocky launch. He clarified that Cyberpunk's problems weren't caused by its engine, and that CD Projekt has since formed a deep partnership with Epic to customize Unreal Engine's core technology for its open-world games.
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The move away from the studio's long-running REDengine, used since 2011, marks a major shift in how CD Projekt builds its flagship franchise and suggests a push toward faster, more consistent releases. Deep access to Unreal Engine's internals also signals an unusually close vendor relationship that could shape how other major studios approach engine partnerships.
- The switch to Unreal Engine 5 was planned before Cyberpunk 2077's launch issues, not because of them.
- CD Projekt has a strategic partnership giving it rare access to Unreal Engine's core 'black box' code.
- The change is expected to support more frequent future releases in The Witcher series.
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt (PS5/Xbox) — While waiting for The Witcher 4's Unreal Engine 5 debut, revisit Geralt's original saga with the Complete Edition, now enhanced for current-gen consoles. It's a great way to catch up on the story and world before CD Projekt Red's next chapter arrives.
See The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt (PS5/Xbox) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techspot.com — Alfonso Maruccia, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “CD Projekt CEO reveals why the company decided to use Unreal Engine for The Witcher 4”
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