the game awards (tga) is a controversial event. some eagerly anticipate game announcements, while others feel the spectacle overshadows developers' achievements. one of the exciting reveals at this year's show was the witcher 4.

The Witcher 4 trailer dramatically opened with a dark village nestled in a rural forest, showcasing a sacrificial ritual and a young woman's impending doom. This village detail might foreshadow CD Projekt Red's approach to NPCs in their new project.

Sebastian Kalemba of CD Projekt Red stated the team has set a new goal. Previous Witcher games and Cyberpunk 2077 were criticized for their generic NPCs. The team acknowledges this criticism and promises more substantial, impactful characters.

This is no easy feat, raising questions about potential development delays. One solution might involve generative AI. While controversial in some circles, others welcome the integration of new technologies. While CD Projekt Red hasn't explicitly mentioned AI, the temptation is certainly there, especially given the difficulties encountered in previous projects like Cyberpunk 2077.

“We will definitely try to improve the quality of NPCs—their appearance, behavior, and facial expressions,” said Sebastian Kalemba.

CD Projekt Red's focus on facial animations, behavior, and individual experiences, including unique quirks, is ambitious. It will be interesting to see how they tackle this challenge.