CD Projekt has confirmed that its decision to abandon REDengine and move The Witcher 4 to Unreal Engine 5 had nothing to do with Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled development. The studio’s co-CEO Michał Nowakowski told the Deconstructor of Fun podcast that the engine switch was driven by a desire to focus on storytelling rather than building technology.
“We’re actually, I think, the only team in the world outside of Epic that deals with the inside of the ‘black box’ that the engine is,” Nowakowski said. “Nobody else is doing that except for us and them, which we do through collaborative efforts together.”
The Two Big Changes
The Witcher 4 marks two major shifts for the series. First, Ciri takes over as the lead character, replacing Geralt. Second, CD Projekt drops its in-house REDengine in favor of Unreal Engine 5.
Fans have speculated that the switch was a response to Cyberpunk 2077’s difficult development and compromised initial release. Nowakowski dismisses that reading. “A lot of people think like this, but this is a bit of a false assumption,” he said. “Because the issue with Cyberpunk was not really REDengine itself.”
Why REDengine Failed
Nowakowski said the problem with Cyberpunk was not the engine. Instead, he argued that CD Projekt never wanted to be an engine developer in the first place. “The dream of the company was actually never to make technology,” he stated.
The studio did want to make “visually and technically cutting edge games,” he conceded. In-house tech seemed like the best path for that. But what ultimately drives the company is “telling the stories in the most convincing and immersive way.”
When CD Projekt’s leadership saw The Matrix Awakens demo of Unreal Engine 5, they decided that adopting third-party tech would be better than continuing to build their own. “If we form a relationship with Unreal and if we work on certain things which are specifically required to make games of the size and scope and certain technicalities about it that we need for games, it could actually work.”
A Strategic Collaboration
CD Projekt pitched a “strategic collaboration” to Epic, according to Nowakowski. The deal goes beyond a simple license. The studio would influence the engine’s direction from the inside.
Nowakowski framed the arrangement as unique in the industry. “We’re actually, I think, the only team in the world outside of Epic that deals with the inside of the ‘black box’ that the engine is,” he said. “Nobody else is doing that except for us and them, which we do through collaborative efforts together.”
What This Means for Unreal Engine 5
The deal raises questions about how CD Projekt’s input will shape the engine going forward. Unreal Engine 5 has gained a reputation for being a stuttering mess, though that is the author’s own observation rather than an established fact. Whether CD Projekt’s influence extends to the AI-heavy Unreal Engine 6 is unclear, given Nowakowski’s previous statement that the company isn’t “planning to rely on AI making complete games.”
The studio’s pitch to Epic suggests it wants to tailor the engine to its specific needs. Nowakowski described working on “certain things which are specifically required to make games of the size and scope and certain technicalities about it that we need for games.”
The Storytelling Focus
Nowakowski’s framing is notable because it shifts the conversation away from technical failure. He positioned the engine switch as a strategic choice rather than a retreat. The company’s core ambition is telling stories, not building engines.
The distinction matters for how fans interpret the move. Cyberpunk 2077’s issues were real, but Nowakowski argues that the engine was not the root cause. The company’s vision was always about narrative, and the engine was a means to that end.
The Road Ahead
The Witcher 4 is still in early development, and details remain sparse. What is clear is that CD Projekt has made a deliberate choice to shift its technological foundation. The studio is betting that Unreal Engine 5 can deliver the visual and technical ambition it wants, while freeing it from the demands of engine development.
Whether the bet pays off will depend on how the collaboration plays out. CD Projekt’s input on the engine could reshape how Unreal performs in demanding games. The company’s presence inside the “black box” gives it a degree of influence that few studios have.
Key Facts
- Game: The Witcher 4
- Engine: REDengine to Unreal Engine 5
- Lead character: Ciri replaces Geralt
- Podcast: Deconstructor of Fun (via GamesRadar+)
- Co-CEO: Michał Nowakowski
- Deal: Strategic collaboration with Epic
Nowakowski’s dismissal of the Cyberpunk narrative is blunt. He is saying the engine was not the problem, and the company never wanted to be in the engine business anyway. That honesty, combined with the strategic collaboration, suggests CD Projekt is moving with purpose rather than reacting to failure.
The stuttering reputation of Unreal Engine 5 is a concern, but the company seems committed to shaping the engine to its needs. Whether that works will be tested when The Witcher 4 arrives.
Source material: “CD Projekt says abandoning its in-house engine for The Witcher 4 had nothing to do with Cyberpunk 2077's technical woes: 'The dream of the company was actually never to make technology',” PC Gamer.
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