The Witcher 4 is in production hell because of the Unreal Engine

Daniel Vavra, the creative force behind the Kingdom Come trilogy and a co-founder of Warhorse Studios, has openly criticized Unreal Engine, asserting its inadequacy for crafting detailed and expansive open worlds. He attributes the tumultuous development of The Witcher 4 to the engine's limitations, stating, "Unreal works well here if you want to make a game with desert and rocks, but the engine couldn't handle trees for a long time." He further critiques Unreal's Nanite technology, claiming it falls short in rendering vegetation effectively.

Vavra reportedly discussed with a CD Projekt employee the challenges faced by the studio in adapting scenes that previously ran smoothly on the RED Engine to Unreal. This transition, according to Vavra, has led to significant production delays for the game.

He questions CD Projekt's decision to abandon their proprietary RED Engine in favor of Unreal, especially since custom engines are typically preferred by developers of open-world games. Vavra also points out that while Unreal can deliver stunning visuals, it demands hardware that is prohibitively expensive for most gamers, with systems costing thousands of euros.

Despite the years that have passed since the release of the first Kingdom Come: Deliverance, the allure of its medieval Bohemian setting remains strong. Fans eagerly await the sequel, set to continue the adventures of Indřich with upgraded graphics, an enhanced combat system, and a narrative deeply rooted in historical events. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is slated for release on February 4.

In anticipation of the game's launch, we have gathered the latest information on system requirements and estimated playthrough times. We'll also provide instructions on how to download Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, ensuring you can immerse yourself in its medieval atmosphere as soon as it's available.