In a move that’s turning heads in the RPG world, CD Projekt Red has hired Karel Kolmann, a long-time designer from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, to work on The Witcher 4 as a Senior Quest Designer.

Kolmann spent more than eight years at Warhorse Studios, taking on roles such as writer, scripter, senior game designer and more recently, lead gameplay designer on KCD2. During his time at Warhorse, he helped craft 11 quests (including full dialogue and cutscenes), developed the game’s crime and punishment system, and designed the punishing Hardcore Mode.

For CD Projekt Red, Kolmann’s addition comes at an interesting time. The Witcher 4 is reportedly ramping up production and is shaping up to be a major entry in a new Witcher trilogy. His experience on deeply systemic, player-reactive quests makes him a potentially strong fit for the kind of open-world freedom CDPR has built its reputation on.

His confirmation came via LinkedIn earlier this month, where he posted a succinct “Things are happening!” alongside the announcement of his new role. Fans are already speculating that his quest-design background could bring a new level of interactivity and realism to Witcher 4, possibly echoing KCD2’s ambition for a living, reactive world.

This hire is being seen by many as a signal that CDPR is serious about building deep, narrative-driven systems for Witcher 4, not just cinematic storytelling. Kolmann’s background suggests that quests may lean into moral complexity, player choice, and simulation-style world reaction all things he’s already done with distinction.

This is more than a personnel move. It’s a strategic bet by CDPR. By bringing in someone with Kolmann’s track record, they may be doubling down on a more systemic, choice-heavy design philosophy for Witcher 4. For fans of Deliverance and The Witcher both, it’s a promising sign.