Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Engine Twins or Distant Cousins?

The question of whether Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt share the same game engine has been a topic of much discussion amongst gamers and developers alike. The short answer is yes, and no. Both games were built using CD Projekt Red’s proprietary REDengine, but not the same version of it. While The Witcher 3 used REDengine 3, Cyberpunk 2077 utilized a more advanced, heavily modified iteration of the engine. Let’s delve into the nuances of this technological relationship and explore what it means for both games and CD Projekt Red’s future projects.

REDengine: CD Projekt Red’s In-House Powerhouse

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and REDengine 3

REDengine was conceived as CD Projekt Red’s answer to the limitations of commercially available game engines. The goal was to create a technology specifically tailored to the needs of their ambitious, open-world RPGs. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released in 2015, was a showcase for the capabilities of REDengine 3. This version allowed for sprawling landscapes, detailed character models, advanced AI, and a dynamic weather system, all crucial elements in bringing the Continent to life. The Witcher 3’s open-world was massive with approximately 135 square kilometers.

The transition to REDengine 3 was a significant leap from the engine used for The Witcher 2. It facilitated the shift from a more linear, chapter-based structure to the expansive open world that defined The Witcher 3‘s success. This engine also handled the game’s complex quest system, its intricate dialogue, and its engaging combat mechanics.

Cyberpunk 2077: Pushing REDengine to its Limits

When Cyberpunk 2077 was announced, CD Projekt Red continued to refine and expand the REDengine. This updated version was intended to handle the complexities of Night City, a dense, vertical urban environment far removed from the medieval landscapes of The Witcher. The modifications included improvements to:

• Rendering: Enhanced lighting and shadow effects, crucial for creating the neon-drenched aesthetic of Night City.
• AI: More sophisticated AI systems for handling the behavior of crowds and NPCs in a dynamic city environment.
• Physics: Improved physics engine to simulate the interactions within Night City’s detailed world.

Despite these enhancements, Cyberpunk 2077‘s launch was plagued with technical issues, particularly on older consoles. These problems raised questions about the engine’s ability to handle the game’s ambition. While the game has improved considerably since its release, the rocky launch highlighted the challenges of pushing REDengine to its absolute limits.

REDengine’s Swan Song: A Necessary Evolution

Cyberpunk 2077 marks the final chapter for REDengine as CD Projekt Red’s primary engine. The studio has announced that future projects, including the next Witcher game (codenamed “Polaris”) and the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel (codenamed “Orion”), will be developed using Unreal Engine 5. This decision represents a strategic shift for the company.

The move to Unreal Engine 5 offers several advantages:

• Established Technology: Unreal Engine 5 is a mature, well-supported engine with a vast community of developers and a wealth of resources.
• Scalability: Unreal Engine 5 is designed to scale across a wide range of platforms, from high-end PCs to consoles and mobile devices.
• Feature Set: Unreal Engine 5 boasts advanced features such as Nanite (for highly detailed geometry) and Lumen (for dynamic global illumination), which can significantly enhance the visual fidelity of games.

By adopting Unreal Engine 5, CD Projekt Red can leverage Epic Games’ expertise and focus its resources on game design, storytelling, and world-building, rather than constantly reinventing the wheel with a proprietary engine. This move also aligns with industry trends, as many other studios have embraced Unreal Engine 5 for their upcoming projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Cyberpunk 2077 built on Unreal Engine? No, Cyberpunk 2077 was not built on Unreal Engine. It uses a heavily modified version of CD Projekt Red’s proprietary REDengine.

2. Will the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel use REDengine? No, the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 (codenamed “Orion”) will be developed using Unreal Engine 5.

3. Why did CD Projekt Red switch to Unreal Engine 5? The move to Unreal Engine 5 allows CD Projekt Red to leverage a more robust and feature-rich engine, reduce development time, and focus on other aspects of game development.

4. Will The Witcher 4 (Polaris) use the same engine as Cyberpunk 2077? No, The Witcher 4 (codenamed “Polaris”) will also be built using Unreal Engine 5, not REDengine.

5. Is REDengine a bad engine? No, REDengine is not inherently a bad engine. It was specifically designed for CD Projekt Red’s needs and allowed them to create impressive games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. However, maintaining and evolving a proprietary engine requires significant resources, which CD Projekt Red has decided to allocate elsewhere.

6. Did the performance issues of Cyberpunk 2077 influence the decision to switch engines? While the performance issues likely played a role, the decision to switch to Unreal Engine 5 was more strategic and forward-looking. CD Projekt Red aimed to capitalize on the advantages of a well-established and feature-rich engine for future projects.

7. Will the transition to Unreal Engine 5 affect the visual style of CD Projekt Red’s games? The transition may result in some changes to the visual style, but CD Projekt Red will likely work to maintain its signature aesthetic. Unreal Engine 5 is a versatile engine that allows developers to create a wide range of visual styles.

8. What are the key differences between REDengine and Unreal Engine 5? Unreal Engine 5 offers more advanced features like Nanite (for highly detailed geometry) and Lumen (for dynamic global illumination). It also has a larger community of developers, better support, and more readily available resources. REDengine, on the other hand, was tailored specifically for CD Projekt Red’s needs but required more in-house development and maintenance.

9. Is The Witcher 3 Remake using Unreal Engine 5? Yes, The Witcher 3 Remake is being rebuilt with Unreal Engine 5.

10. Did Cyberpunk 2077 use AI? Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 used AI technology, especially in its Phantom Liberty DLC to replicate the voice of a deceased actor.

11. How long is Cyberpunk 2077 compared to Witcher 3? The main story of Cyberpunk 2077 is shorter than The Witcher 3. According to “howlongtobeat”, the main plot of The Witcher 3 averages 51 hours, while Cyberpunk 2077 averages 21 hours.

12. Is Cyberpunk 2077 an Open World Game? Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world game set in Night City.

13. Is the world map bigger in Witcher 3 or Cyberpunk 2077? Witcher 3’s map spans around 135 square kilometers, while Cyberpunk 2077’s map is smaller, but denser.

14. Does the Phantom Liberty DLC use Unreal Engine? No, the Phantom Liberty DLC for Cyberpunk 2077 still uses REDengine. The sequel will be the first to use Unreal Engine 5.

15. Where can I learn more about game development and engine technologies?

    You can explore resources and communities dedicated to game development, such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, to gain a deeper understanding of game engines and related topics. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to advancing knowledge about games and learning.

In conclusion, while Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 share a lineage through CD Projekt Red’s REDengine, they are distinct in their engine versions and overall technological approach. The future lies with Unreal Engine 5, promising a new era of innovation and visual fidelity for CD Projekt Red’s upcoming titles.