Following the release of a behind-the-scenes look at *The Witcher 4’s* cinematic reveal trailer, some fans noticed what appeared to be subtle differences in Ciri’s facial appearance in two brief clips at the 2:11 and 5:47 marks. These clips offered close-up views of Ciri’s in-game model, prompting discussion online about her looks. While some initial reactions were less than positive, many commenters found the new angles showcased a “perfect representation of a slightly older Ciri.”
This sparked speculation that CD Projekt Red had altered Ciri’s in-game model in response to perceived negative feedback. However, *The Witcher 4* game director Sebastian Kalemba clarified on social media that the model remained unchanged. He explained the variations seen were due to the clips showing “raw footage” without the final cinematic lighting, animation, and camera effects applied to the reveal trailer. He emphasized that such variations are a normal part of game development, with character appearances potentially differing across trailers, 3D models, and the final in-game product.
*The Witcher 4*, the first in a new trilogy, features Ciri as the protagonist, a decision executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga described as “the very organic, logical choice,” citing her prominence in the books and the need for a narrative continuation after Geralt’s story in *The Witcher 3*. Kalemba further highlighted that Ciri’s younger age allows for greater player agency in shaping her character and provides more narrative exploration opportunities. While acknowledging potential negative reactions to Ciri’s leading role, both Mitręga and Kalemba emphasized that the decision was deliberate and carefully considered.
Geralt’s voice actor, Doug Cockle, expressed his excitement about the shift to Ciri as the protagonist, emphasizing the narrative potential stemming from the books. Further exclusive content on *The Witcher 4*, including a trailer breakdown and an interview detailing how CD Projekt aims to avoid a repeat of *Cyberpunk 2077’s* launch issues, is also available.
