A New Quest Master Joins the Hunt
CD Projekt Red just landed a heavy hitter for The Witcher 4. Karel Kolmann, who spent over eight years as lead gameplay designer at Warhorse Studios working on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, is now CD Projekt Red's senior quest designer. His move, announced in November 2025, has gamers buzzing about what his expertise means for Ciri's upcoming adventure, expected no sooner than 2027. Kolmann's track record, including designing 11 quests with full dialogue and cutscene writing and owning the crime system, suggests The Witcher 4 could deliver some of the most reactive and immersive quests yet.
Kolmann's work at Warhorse Studios wasn't just about writing dialogue or scripting cutscenes. He built systems that made players think twice before swiping an apple or sneaking past a guard. His crime system in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, which sold over one million copies on its February 4, 2025 launch day and surpassed three million units by May 2025, let NPCs react dynamically to player choices, creating a world that felt alive. Now, at CD Projekt Red, he's tasked with weaving that same depth into The Witcher 4's quests, a tall order for a franchise that set the bar sky-high with The Witcher 3's 50 million sales.
Crafting Worlds That React
What makes Kolmann's hire exciting is his knack for blending narrative with gameplay. In Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, his stealth and perception systems forced players to consider lighting, noise, and even clothing choices, earning a 93 percent Steam user score for their realism. He also designed the game's hardcore mode, a punishing challenge for dedicated RPG fans. These systems didn't just add flavor; they made every choice matter, from dodging a guard to surviving a massive battle.
The transition isn't without challenges. Some players on Reddit worry that hardcore systems might not fit The Witcher's broader appeal, unlike Kingdom Come's niche focus. Still, Kolmann's ability to balance immersion with accessibility could bridge that gap.
Navigating the Unreal Engine 5 Leap
Kolmann's move comes as CD Projekt Red embraces Unreal Engine 5, a major shift from their proprietary REDengine used in The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Announced in March 2022 as part of a partnership with Epic Games, this transition aims to streamline development for The Witcher 4 and other projects like Cyberpunk's sequel, Orion. Unreal Engine 5 brings tools like Nanite, Lumen, and enhanced ray tracing, but it's a new beast for developers used to custom workflows.
Still, Kolmann's experience shipping a blockbuster like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, which generated approximately 100 million euros in revenue, proves he can handle complex projects. The engine switch also opens doors to richer world interactions, something Kolmann excelled at with NPC reactivity. If he nails this, The Witcher 4's quests could feel like living, breathing stories.
Lessons From Talent Swaps
Kolmann's move isn't the first time a studio nabbed talent to boost a flagship title. When Guerrilla Games hired a lead quest designer from CD Projekt Red for the Horizon series, some observers noted resulting quest structures incorporated Witcher-style investigation mechanics. Kolmann's transition offers similar promise but also risks. His deep knowledge of cohesive systems, like tying quests to NPC behaviors, could elevate The Witcher 4, but meshing with a team of approximately 444 developers and aligning with Ciri's established arc requires careful integration.
Another lesson comes from CD Projekt Red's own history. After Cyberpunk 2077's rocky 2020 launch, the studio rebuilt trust with the Phantom Liberty expansion in 2023, showing they can learn from mistakes. Kolmann's hire signals a focus on quality, but the pressure to match The Witcher 3's legacy looms large. Industry analysts point out that his full-cycle experience, from design to player feedback, gives CD Projekt Red an edge in crafting quests that resonate.
What's Next for RPG Excellence
The gaming industry is a tough place right now, with approximately 35,000 layoffs between 2022 and May 2025 shaking studios like EA and Sony. Yet CD Projekt Red's hiring spree, adding 57 developers between October 2024 and February 2025, shows confidence in The Witcher 4's trilogy kickoff. Kolmann's arrival underscores a broader trend: studios with big franchises are snapping up proven talent to stay competitive. His work could set a new standard for quest design, blending Kingdom Come's realism with The Witcher's storytelling magic.
Players have high hopes, but they're not without doubts. Some question whether Ciri as protagonist fits the series' gritty roots, while others see Kolmann's hire as a sign of bold ambition. With Unreal Engine 5's power and Kolmann's system design chops, The Witcher 4 might not just meet expectations but push what RPGs can do. As development chugs toward 2027, all eyes are on how this talent swap shapes the next chapter of a beloved saga.