Dying Light: The Beast vs The Witcher IV

• Multiplayer: Expected to retain 4-Player Online Co-op
• Expected Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Expected Setting: New, uncharted district (Elysium)
• Protagonist: Aiden Caldwell
• Status: Fictional Concept / Unannounced

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-player Only
• Setting: The Continent (Post-Witcher 3)
• Platforms: PC (Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
• Expected Release: 2026-10-27 (Speculative)
• Unique Feature: Start of a new Witcher saga, built on Unreal Engine 5; focus on a new generation of Witcher; signature mature storytelling with meaningful choices.

• Roach (Horse): The Witcher's trusty steed, essential for traversing the vast open world. Can be called at any time. Will likely feature customizable equipment like saddles and saddlebags that can increase inventory space or provide other minor benefits.
  Equine
• Quest-Specific Companions: During various main and side quests, key characters (like Dandelion, Zoltan, or new allies) will join the protagonist, fighting alongside them and participating in the narrative for the duration of that specific mission or questline. They are not permanent controllable companions.
  Varies (Human, Dwarf, Elf, etc.)

• Ecologist's Notes: Research notes from the scientists who ran the Elysium eco-project before the fall, providing lore on the unique flora and fauna and hinting at the origins of The Beast.
• Hive Mind Samples: Rare biological samples taken from powerful infected or hive nests. These could be used as a special crafting material for upgrading Aiden's infected abilities.

• Witcher Gear Schematics: Diagrams hidden across the world in monster lairs, ancient ruins, or as quest rewards. Required to craft powerful, upgradeable Witcher School gear (armor and swords).
• Gwent Cards: A new collection of cards for an evolved version of the Gwent card game. Cards can be won from NPCs, purchased from merchants, or found as loot. Collecting a powerful deck is a major side activity.
• Lore Books & Documents: Collectible books, scrolls, and letters that expand on the world's rich history, bestiary, character backstories, and the political state of the Continent after the Third Nilfgaardian War.
• Places of Power: Ancient magical stones that, when activated, grant the player a temporary buff to a specific Witcher Sign and provide one Ability Point for character development. A recurring and important collectible for progression.
• Monster Trophies: Obtained by defeating powerful, often unique, monsters from Witcher Contracts. These can sometimes be equipped to provide small passive bonuses or simply serve as proof of a successful hunt.
• Hidden Treasure: Marked by clues on maps or notes found on corpses. These lead to guarded chests containing valuable loot, crafting materials, or unique items.

• Survival Horror
• Post-Apocalyptic
• Parkour
• Open World
• Body Horror
• Hive Mind
• Hunter vs. Hunted
• Evolving Infection

• Moral Ambiguity
• Monster Hunting
• Political Intrigue
• Consequences of Choice
• Folklore & Mythology
• War's Aftermath
• Legacy
• Found Family
• A New Generation

• Improvised Melee Weapons: One-Handed, Two-Handed
  The series' signature craftable weapons, built from scrap. This expansion would introduce new blueprints using local flora and fauna, like a 'Spore-Infused Axe' or 'Bioluminescent Mace'.
• Bows and Crossbows: Ranged Weapons
  Silent ranged options for stealth takedowns. A new heavy crossbow could be introduced, capable of firing grappling lines to create new traversal paths.
• Infected Weapons (Speculative): Supernatural Ability
  As Aiden embraces his infection, he could unlock the ability to temporarily manifest bio-weapons, like hardened bone claws for melee or a projectile acid spit, tied to his new skill tree.

• Witcher's Steel Sword: Primary Melee (vs. Humans/Non-Monsters)
  A masterfully crafted sword designed for fighting humanoids. Will feature various styles (e.g., from different Witcher schools or regions), stats, and rune slots for customization and upgrades.
• Witcher's Silver Sword: Primary Melee (vs. Monsters)
  A silver-bladed sword essential for harming monsters and supernatural creatures. Like the steel sword, it will be craftable, upgradable, and come in many unique forms with slots for powerful enhancements.
• Witcher Signs: Tactical Magic
  Simple but effective magical signs used in combat and for utility: Aard (telekinesis), Igni (fire), Quen (shield), Yrden (trap/magic field), and Axii (mind influence). The new engine may allow for more dynamic and powerful applications and combinations.
• Crossbow: Ranged Weapon / Utility
  A ranged weapon used for bringing down flying creatures, fighting underwater, or applying special bolt effects like bleeding or poison.
• Alchemical Bombs: Throwable Consumable (Craftable)
  Craftable bombs with various effects, such as Grapeshot (shrapnel), Samum (stunning), Dancing Star (incendiary), and Dimeritium Bomb (suppresses magic).
• Potions & Decoctions: Buff Consumable (Craftable)
  Consumables that provide powerful temporary buffs to the Witcher's abilities, senses, or combat prowess. Decoctions, made from powerful monster mutagens, offer unique, long-lasting effects but have high toxicity.
• Oils: Weapon Buff (Craftable)
  Blade coatings applied to steel or silver swords to deal significantly increased damage against specific classes of enemies (e.g., Necrophage Oil, Cursed Oil, Beast Oil).

• Faction Gear: Players would be able to acquire gear sets from the new factions in the Elysium district. Each set would provide bonuses tailored to a specific playstyle (e.g., 'Hunter' gear for stealth, 'Brawler' gear for melee, 'Survivor' gear for parkour efficiency).

• Witcher School Gear Sets (e.g., School of the Lynx): Craftable and upgradable sets of themed armor (Chest, Gauntlets, Trousers, Boots) belonging to different Witcher schools. Each set provides protection and passive bonuses that synergize with specific playstyles (e.g., combat, signs, alchemy). The new School of the Lynx is expected to be a primary set.
• Heavy Armor: Armor sets providing high levels of protection and resistance to damage, at the cost of slower stamina regeneration. Suited for combat-focused, tank-like builds.
• Medium Armor: Balanced armor providing moderate protection and stamina regeneration. The most versatile type, often enhancing both combat and Sign intensity.
• Light Armor: Armor providing minimal protection but allowing for rapid stamina regeneration, ideal for Sign-intensive or agile, hit-and-run combat styles.
• Relic & Magical Items: Unique pieces of armor or accessories found as loot or quest rewards, offering powerful and unique perks not found on standard gear.
• Rune Slots: Swords and armor pieces will feature slots for Runestones and Glyphs, which provide smaller passive stat bonuses (e.g., increased attack power, Sign intensity, resistance to specific damage types).

• Cosmetic Outfits: A variety of cosmetic outfits would be available, allowing players to change Aiden's appearance. These would include outfits from the new factions, tactical gear, and potentially even a skin that shows his progressing infection.

• Witcher Gear Sets: Players will be able to craft and wear multiple pieces of Witcher armor, categorized as Chest, Trousers, Gauntlets, and Boots. These sets, belonging to various Witcher Schools (including the new School of the Lynx), will have distinct appearances and can be upgraded through several tiers (e.g., Basic, Enhanced, Superior, Mastercrafted, Grandmaster).
• Common Armor & Clothing: A wide variety of non-Witcher armor and clothing pieces can be found or purchased, offering different visual styles and stats, reflecting the fashion of the various regions of the Continent.
• Armor Dyes: A feature from The Witcher 3's 'Blood and Wine' expansion that is expected to return, allowing players to change the color of their equipped armor pieces for greater personalization.
• Hairstyles & Beards (If custom character): If the protagonist is a custom character, players can expect options for customizing hairstyles and beards at barbershops found throughout the world, a popular feature from The Witcher 3.

Players will develop their Witcher through deep skill trees focusing on Sword Combat (fast and strong attacks, parrying, new techniques), Signs (evolved versions of Aard, Igni, Quen, Yrden, Axii), and Alchemy (potions, decoctions, oils, bombs with a potentially more interactive crafting system). A new central progression system, possibly tied to the School of the Lynx, will offer unique abilities and character development paths. Gear (swords, armor) will be craftable, upgradable, and customizable with runes.

Expected to feature a massive, next-generation open world that is even more dynamic and reactive than The Witcher 3's. The world will likely be comprised of several large regions, potentially including parts of northern kingdoms like Temeria or Redania, as well as new, unexplored territories. A key focus will be on creating dense, living environments, from bustling cities to monster-infested wilderness, with dynamic weather and ecosystems.

• Roach (Horse): Primary Mount / Land Traversal
  The Witcher's trusty steed, essential for traversing the vast open world. Can be called at any time. Will likely feature customizable equipment like saddles and saddlebags that can increase inventory space or provide other minor benefits.
• Boats & Skiffs: Water Traversal
  Small boats, skiffs, or sailboats for navigating rivers, lakes, and coastal waters between landmasses or islands.

• The Protagonist (e.g., a School of the Lynx Witcher or Ciri): Protagonist / Witcher
  The main playable character. This will be a new character to the saga, potentially a custom character from the new School of the Lynx, or a returning Ciri, now a full-fledged Witcheress navigating a changed world.
• Ciri (Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon): Major Supporting Character / Potential Protagonist
  The Lady of Space and Time and Geralt's adopted daughter. Depending on the narrative path, she could be the main protagonist or a major NPC and mentor figure, dealing with the legacy of her powers and her role in the world's future.
• Geralt of Rivia (Likely Appearance): Mentor / Supporting Character / Legendary Witcher
  The legendary protagonist of the original saga. While his story is concluded, he is expected to appear in a supporting or mentor role, offering guidance to the new generation. His presence would connect the new saga to the old.
• A New Antagonist: Main Antagonist
  A new, complex villain driving the central conflict. Could be a powerful mage from a clandestine organization, a ruthless monarch with expansionist ambitions, or a supernatural entity unlike any seen before.
• Returning Friends & Allies (e.g., Dandelion, Zoltan Chivay, Triss Merigold, Yennefer of Vengerberg): Supporting Characters / Quest Givers
  Familiar faces from the original trilogy are likely to make appearances, providing side quests, story context, and connecting the new protagonist to the established world and its history.
• New Faction Leaders: Major NPCs / Political Figures
  Leaders of various kingdoms, factions, or organizations (e.g., Nilfgaard, Redania, sorcerer lodges, non-human groups) who will play a role in the political intrigue of the post-war Continent.

• Main Story Quests
  A cinematic campaign that would follow Aiden's hunt for 'The Beast' and his struggle to control his own infection while navigating the politics of the new survivor factions in the Elysium district.

• Main Story Quests
  A series of interconnected narrative quests forming the central storyline. This will involve investigating the game's primary conflict, making major decisions with far-reaching consequences, interacting with key political figures and factions, and confronting the main antagonist.
• Secondary Questlines
  Multi-part, story-rich side quests that are not essential to the main plot but offer deep narratives, complex characters, and significant rewards. These are a hallmark of the series, often as compelling as the main story (e.g., the Bloody Baron questline in The Witcher 3).
• Witcher Contracts
  Core Witcher gameplay. These missions involve taking a contract from a notice board or NPC to hunt down a specific, often powerful, monster. This requires investigation (examining the scene, talking to witnesses, tracking the beast) and preparation (alchemy, oils) before confronting and slaying the monster for a reward.
• Treasure Hunts (Witcher Gear)
  Quests that involve following a series of clues from maps and notes to locate hidden schematics for powerful, upgradeable Witcher School gear (armor and swords).
• Gwent Tournaments
  An expected side activity where players can participate in Gwent tournaments in major cities, challenging skilled players to win unique cards, money, and renown in the in-game card game.
• Points of Interest (?)
  Exploring the open world to clear out Monster Nests, Bandit Camps, find Hidden Treasure, discover Abandoned Sites that can be repopulated, and activate Places of Power for ability points.
• Companion & Character Quests
  Optional quests related to the personal stories of key supporting characters and allies, allowing the player to deepen their relationships and influence their fates.

The Witcher IV is confirmed to be a single-player, story-driven open-world RPG. A separate, standalone Witcher multiplayer game codenamed 'Project Sirius' is in development by a different studio (The Molasses Flood), but 'Project Polaris' will not feature multiplayer.

CD PROJEKT RED has a reputation for substantial post-launch support. The new saga is planned as a trilogy. It is expected that this first game will receive at least two large, story-driven expansions similar in scale to 'Hearts of Stone' and 'Blood and Wine,' introducing new regions, quests, characters, and monsters. Regular free DLCs with smaller content like armor sets and side quests are also likely.

• Q: Is Dying Light: The Beast a real game?
  A: No, as of August 2025, 'Dying Light: The Beast' is not an officially announced game or DLC from developer Techland. This entry is a fictional concept of what a future installment might be.
• Q: Would this be a sequel to Dying Light 2?
  A: This concept is designed as a standalone expansion, meaning it would be a new story that takes place after Dying Light 2 but would not require the base game to play. It would be similar to 'Far Cry: New Dawn' or 'Uncharted: The Lost Legacy'.
• Q: What is the 'Infected Hive Mind'?
  A: In this concept, it's a new gameplay system where a powerful Alpha Volatile, 'The Beast,' directs lesser infected with greater intelligence, allowing them to coordinate their attacks, set up ambushes, and react strategically to the player.

• Q: Is this game a direct sequel to The Witcher 3?
  A: It is the start of a new saga set in the same universe after the events of The Witcher 3, but it will not be a direct continuation of Geralt of Rivia's main story. It will feature a new protagonist, though familiar characters may return.
• Q: Who is the main playable character in The Witcher 4?
  A: CD PROJEKT RED has not officially confirmed the protagonist. Speculation points towards either Ciri or a new, potentially customizable Witcher from the new School of the Lynx, which was teased.
• Q: What engine is The Witcher 4 being built on?
  A: The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, a shift from CD PROJEKT RED's in-house REDengine used for previous titles. This is expected to bring significant visual and technological advancements.
• Q: When is The Witcher 4 expected to be released?
  A: There is no official release date. Given the scale of development and that the game is the first in a new trilogy, a release date is not expected before 2026 at the earliest. The date listed in this data is purely speculative.
• Q: Will The Witcher 4 have multiplayer?
  A: No, CD PROJEKT RED has confirmed that the next mainline Witcher game ('Project Polaris') will be a single-player, story-driven open-world RPG, following the tradition of the series. A separate Witcher game ('Project Sirius') is being developed with multiplayer elements.
• Q: Will Gwent be in The Witcher 4?
  A: While not officially confirmed, the immense popularity of the Gwent card game in The Witcher 3 makes its return in some form highly likely, possibly with new decks, factions, and updated rules.
• Q: Will my choices from The Witcher 3 carry over?
  A: It's unknown if a save-import feature will be implemented. If the story is set many years later with a new protagonist, the world state might be based on a default 'canon' outcome of The Witcher 3, or players may be able to set their previous choices via a narrative summary at the start of the game, similar to what was done for The Witcher 3.

Being developed on Unreal Engine 5, the game is expected to set a new benchmark for visual fidelity in open-world RPGs. It will utilize UE5's Nanite technology for highly detailed environments and Lumen for dynamic global illumination and reflections, resulting in incredibly realistic lighting, shadows, and world detail.

The score will likely be composed by Marcin Przybyłowicz or composers in a similar style, featuring a blend of epic orchestral arrangements, Slavic folk music, and atmospheric soundscapes to create an immersive audio experience. Sound design will be crucial for monster encounters and environmental storytelling.

Expected to feature a modern, clean UI with customizable elements. Key features will include a 3D world map, a detailed journal for quests and characters, an intuitive inventory and crafting screen, and a streamlined radial menu for selecting signs and items in combat.

Following industry trends and CDPR's recent efforts, the game is expected to have comprehensive accessibility options, including extensive subtitle customization, colorblind modes, remappable controls, audio cues for gameplay, and potentially adjustable difficulty and gameplay modifiers to cater to a wide range of players.

• ENTIRELY SPECULATIVE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. These are hypothetical projections based on the requirements for Dying Light 2: Stay Human, with a slight increase to account for potential engine upgrades and more complex AI systems.
• Laptop Performance Note: A future title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop. Actual performance would vary significantly based on the final game's optimization and the laptop's specific hardware configuration.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and dense, overgrown environments.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: The game's fast-paced parkour and intense combat against organized hordes would require excellent cooling to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU would be critical for handling the advanced 'hive mind' AI of the infected, as well as complex physics interactions.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB would be the minimum, with 32GB recommended for a smooth experience in a dense, seamless new world.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: A high-refresh-rate display (120Hz+) would be ideal to fully appreciate the fluidity of the enhanced parkour and combat systems.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: This would remain a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance and responsiveness for fast-paced first-person action.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Regular driver updates and an optimized OS would be crucial.
• Game Name: Dying Light: The Beast

• SPECULATIVE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for The Witcher IV (Project Polaris), a future AAA open-world RPG built on Unreal Engine 5, targeting a late 2026 release. These are estimations based on technology trends as of mid-2025 and are subject to change upon official announcement.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, which is heavily dependent on TGP (Total Graphics Power) and a robust cooling solution. **A high-end gaming laptop from 2025-2026 will be necessary for an optimal experience.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU will be critical to achieve stable framerates at higher settings.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: A high-performance cooling system (vapor chamber, multiple heat pipes, liquid metal) will be essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay in the dense open world.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: A flagship mobile CPU (e.g., future Intel Core i9 HX / AMD Ryzen 9 HX series) will be needed to handle the complex systems, AI, and world streaming of a next-gen Witcher game.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: 32GB of fast DDR5/DDR6 RAM in a dual-channel configuration will likely be the recommended standard for a smooth experience.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: A high-resolution (1440p+) and high-refresh-rate (120Hz+) display will require a top-tier mobile GPU and reliance on upscaling technologies to be fully utilized.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX Switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus will be crucial for maximizing performance.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Game Ready drivers specifically optimized for this title upon release will be essential.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Will feature support for the latest versions of NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS with Frame Generation, which will be essential for achieving target framerates at high resolutions and with ray tracing enabled.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Ray Tracing Quality (Lumen/Shadows/Reflections), Nanite Geometry Detail, Virtual Shadow Map Quality, Global Illumination, and Texture Quality will be the most performance-intensive settings.
• Game Name: The Witcher IV

• Upscaling Tech: Will feature support for the latest versions of NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS with Frame Generation, which will be essential for achieving target framerates at high resolutions and with ray tracing enabled.
• Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Ray Tracing Quality (Lumen/Shadows/Reflections), Nanite Geometry Detail, Virtual Shadow Map Quality, Global Illumination, and Texture Quality will be the most performance-intensive settings.

• G P U T G P Impact: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and dense, overgrown environments.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: The game's fast-paced parkour and intense combat against organized hordes would require excellent cooling to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Performance Sustain: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU would be critical for handling the advanced 'hive mind' AI of the infected, as well as complex physics interactions.
• R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB would be the minimum, with 32GB recommended for a smooth experience in a dense, seamless new world.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: A high-refresh-rate display (120Hz+) would be ideal to fully appreciate the fluidity of the enhanced parkour and combat systems.
• M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: This would remain a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance and responsiveness for fast-paced first-person action.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Regular driver updates and an optimized OS would be crucial.

• G P U T G P Impact: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU will be critical to achieve stable framerates at higher settings.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: A high-performance cooling system (vapor chamber, multiple heat pipes, liquid metal) will be essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay in the dense open world.
• C P U Performance Sustain: A flagship mobile CPU (e.g., future Intel Core i9 HX / AMD Ryzen 9 HX series) will be needed to handle the complex systems, AI, and world streaming of a next-gen Witcher game.
• R A M Configuration Speed: 32GB of fast DDR5/DDR6 RAM in a dual-channel configuration will likely be the recommended standard for a smooth experience.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: A high-resolution (1440p+) and high-refresh-rate (120Hz+) display will require a top-tier mobile GPU and reliance on upscaling technologies to be fully utilized.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX Switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus will be crucial for maximizing performance.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Game Ready drivers specifically optimized for this title upon release will be essential.