Geralt's Face Redesign Backfired Horribly
The iconic face of Geralt of Rivia, the Witcher, almost looked drastically different. During the development of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, CD Projekt Red attempted a significant redesign. The original Geralt, from the first game, had a somewhat stylized, less anatomically correct look, a consequence of the limitations of the older game engine. Moving to a more powerful engine for The Witcher 2 allowed for a more realistic approach, leading the team to create a new, more "human" Geralt.
A Community Uproar
However, this attempt at realism was met with a furious backlash from the fanbase. The community, deeply attached to the original Geralt's unique features, vehemently rejected the new design. The outcry was so strong that CD Projekt Red swiftly reversed course, admitting their mistake. It would take additional time and effort to reconcile the updated engine with the community’s preference for Geralt’s familiar, slightly unconventional features.
Lessons Learned and Future Possibilities
The experience taught the developers a valuable lesson. While the opportunity to refine Geralt's appearance arose again during the development of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the team wisely resisted significant changes. Minor enhancements were made through improved textures and polygon counts, but the fundamental design remained untouched. This approach ensured the character remained recognizable and beloved by long-time fans.
With The Witcher 4 on the horizon and a new game engine in play, the question of another Geralt redesign naturally arises. While the developers appreciate the opportunity for enhancement, they recognize the risk and are unlikely to make drastic changes. The current design is considered iconic and successful, thanks to the original character design, and any alterations would likely be subtle, focusing on improving detail and realism without sacrificing the character's distinctive features. The most significant change that might still occur would only happen if a major star would lend his face to the saga.
Source: EuroGamer