CD Projekt Explained Its Decision to Switch From REDEngine to UE5. „So It Is Not About, This is So Bad That We Need to Switch”

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension regarding CD Projekt RED’s decision to switch from their proprietary REDengine to Unreal Engine 5. While it’s always intriguing to see what new technologies developers are adopting, the potential for market monopolization by Epic Games is a concern that shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Unreal Engine 5 has its advocates and critics. Given that it’s not flawless and experiences issues like stuttering, it’s understandable. As per Digital Foundry, CD Projekt RED might resolve these problems in The Witcher 4. Why did the Polish studio choose to forgo their reliable choice, the REDengine, and opt for the Epic Games tool instead? Charles Tremblay, VP of Technology, discussed this in an interview with Eurogamer.

It’s not Cyberpunk 2077’s fault

It’s possible some folks connect the shift from REDengine to something about the rollout of Cyberpunk 2077. As you may recall, that game didn’t exactly go smoothly upon launch, facing numerous issues. Yet, Tremblay has strongly dismissed any connection between the two events.

To reiterate clearly, let me emphasize once more: We, as a team, are incredibly proud of the engine we developed for Cyberpunk. This doesn’t mean we’re considering a switch because of any dissatisfaction or despair, far from it. The decision to move forward isn’t driven by thoughts like “This is awful, we must change” or “I wish I weren’t here.” These sentiments are not accurate and did not influence the choice to switch.

One engine, many games

In my gaming world, diving headfirst into UE5 wasn’t a whim; it was a strategic move to tackle several exciting projects concurrently. You see, at CD Projekt RED, we’re brewing up The Witcher 4, the next chapter of Cyberpunk 2077, and the intriguing Hadar project. With UE5, each tech wizard in our studio can now work on multiple games rather than being tied to a single technological thread.

In the past, our approach to constructing projects was somewhat linear, with each project being undertaken sequentially. We tried to maximize efficiency, but found it challenging when we wanted to execute multiple projects simultaneously, especially in terms of sharing technology. The concept emerged that by advancing our technology, we could facilitate collaboration among all technical personnel within the company, allowing them to work on various projects concurrently, rather than having a highly centralized technology that is difficult to share between different initiatives.

Moving to UE5 allows CD Projekt RED to no longer have to create their own technology, as Epic Games now takes on that responsibility. This means they can focus more on the development of The Witcher 4, which aims to be superior in scale and depth compared to The Witcher 3. With Epic Games providing the necessary tools and support, this partnership could greatly benefit the project.

While CD Projekt RED’s choice could bring advantages, it might also lead to potential issues down the line that could affect the broader gaming industry. This issue revolves around the increasing dominance of Epic Games, as more and more developers adopt their technology.

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CD Projekt Explained Its Decision to Switch From REDEngine to UE5. „So It Is Not About, This is So Bad That We Need to Switch”
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CD Projekt Explained Its Decision to Switch From REDEngine to UE5. „So It Is Not About, This is So Bad That We Need to Switch”

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CD Projekt Explained Its Decision to Switch From REDEngine to UE5. „So It Is Not About, This is So Bad That We Need to Switch”

Author: Martin Bukowski

A person who earned a degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from the Gdańsk University of Technology, chose to devote his life to video gaming. As a child, he often found himself engrossed in the labyrinthine world of Gothic’s Valley of Mines and meticulously accumulating gold in League of Legends. Two decades later, games continue to hold the same fascination for him. Currently, he finds solace in the Persona series and soul-like titles from From Software, which he regards as his preferred games. He eschews consoles and harbors a soft spot for PC. In his leisure moments, he works as a translator, is developing his inaugural game, or invests time watching movies and series (predominantly animated ones).

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2024-12-02 15:02