The Witcher 4: A Secret Initiation Quest in Witcher 3

CD Projekt Red's narrative director for The Witcher 4, Philipp Webber, recently revealed a fascinating detail about the game's development. Before the team fully embarked on Ciri's solo adventure, they engaged in a unique preparatory exercise: creating a special quest for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

This wasn't just any quest; it served as a crucial onboarding experience for newer team members. The "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" side quest, added to Witcher 3 in late 2022, provided a perfect blend of familiar gameplay and narrative context. It allowed new designers and writers to immerse themselves in the Witcher universe before diving headfirst into the ambitious Witcher 4 project.

This initiative aligns perfectly with the Witcher 4's announcement in March 2022, roughly nine months before the side quest's release. While pre-announcement planning undoubtedly existed, Webber's revelation sheds light on the practical steps taken to integrate new talent seamlessly.

The quest's dual purpose—promoting the Witcher 3 next-gen update and providing in-game justification for Henry Cavill's Netflix armor—further highlights its strategic importance. Webber described it as an ideal way to "get back into the vibe" of the Witcher world.

While Webber didn't name specific individuals involved, speculation points towards the possibility of team members transitioning from the Cyberpunk 2077 team (released in 2020). This, coupled with rumors of a Phantom Liberty-style skill tree in Witcher 4, adds an intriguing layer to the development timeline.

Ultimately, the "In the Eternal Fire's Shadow" quest stands as more than just a side mission; it represents a clever and effective approach to team integration and preparation for the highly anticipated Witcher 4, which will launch a new trilogy focusing on Ciri as the protagonist.