CD Projekt: Witcher 4 to Exclude Fetch Quests Like Predecessor

The Witcher 4 upholds The Witcher 3's commitment to avoiding fetch quests. Discover how the sequel builds on the successful framework of its predecessor and what to anticipate from its quest narrative.

No Fetch Quests in The Witcher 4

Building on The Witcher 3's Foundation

The Witcher 4 will follow The Witcher 3's established approach, as CD Projekt Red (CDPR) continues to prioritize engaging players with meaningful content. In a June 27 interview with GamesRadar+, Narrative Director Philipp Weber reflected on his role as a Quest Designer for The Witcher 3 and how that experience influences the upcoming installment.

He emphasized the team's dedication to crafting an exceptional game and fostering genuine passion for their creative work. While Weber acknowledged his responsibility as Narrative Director to ensure the vision is properly executed, he also stressed the importance of granting team members creative freedom.

“As a quest designer on The Witcher 3, I experienced an ideal balance from my leads and directors. They provided clear direction while allowing me creative input and a sense of ownership. That’s an approach I intend to maintain,” he explained.

Maintaining High-Standard Storytelling Without Fetch Quests

CDPR remains firm in excluding fetch quests from The Witcher 4, a principle that contributed significantly to The Witcher 3’s acclaim. Weber highlighted that every quest should offer meaningful content that respects the player's time.

He remarked, “As a player, I need to feel that my time was well invested—not just occupied. A quest should provide an engaging story or a worthwhile experience, not merely keep me busy. That fundamental principle remains unchanged.”

This philosophy draws from the studio's lessons during The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 developments. Weber noted that while new features may be introduced, the core emphasis on storytelling fundamentals and instinctive design remains central. “Sometimes we explore new mechanics, but our foundational philosophy stays consistent,” he stated.

CDPR is known for crafting quests with challenging or provocative themes that engage players deeply, and the sequel will continue this tradition. In an earlier June 13 discussion with GamesRadar+, Weber mentioned the team has generated a diverse range of quest concepts. Developers also confirmed they will continue to deliver impactful scenarios that keep players engaged and thoughtful.

Tech Demo is Not Representative of Final Game

While CDPR has not yet detailed the specific quests players will encounter, the studio’s Unreal Engine 5 tech demo provided a visual preview of the game's potential direction. However, developers have consistently clarified that the demo was a technical showcase and does not reflect the final product.

In a June 30 interview with GamesRadar+, Engineering Production Manager Jan Hermanowicz explained that the UE5 demo “is a technological demonstration, not actual gameplay or the game itself.” He noted that although assets were created by CDPR, they remain subject to change as the game is still in early development.

The studio repeatedly cautions that the tech demo should not be seen as indicative of the final game, having “learned significant lessons from the Cyberpunk launch.” Hermanowicz elaborated, “We are not presenting this as gameplay or the actual game. It is strictly a technological demo.”

Despite these disclaimers, fan expectations remain high, particularly since CDPR confirmed the game will target 60fps on PS5. However, the studio has indicated that achieving this frame rate on the Xbox Series S may prove challenging.

The Witcher 4 is planned for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. An official release date has not yet been announced. For the latest updates, refer to our article below!