From Witcher 4 to Blood of Dawnwalker: When Poets of Virtual Worlds Exchange Blessings

In a late evening in Penang, when my phone screen lit up with a notification from an international gaming news site, I realized I was reading a story not unlike the tense derbies on the football pitch. Philipp Weber, lead writer for The Witcher 4, had sent congratulations to Rebel Wolves, the studio behind The Blood of Dawnwalker, for the early positive reviews the game had received. There were no goals, no saves, but that moment carried the breath of a high-stakes match — where those who once stood on the same front line now offer each other respect. The context of this story begins with Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, creative director of The Witcher 3, one of the most beloved games of all time. After leaving CD Projekt Red, he founded Rebel Wolves and led his team to create The Blood of Dawnwalker. Meanwhile, Philipp Weber continues his journey at CD Projekt Red, where he is writing the script for The Witcher 4. Two people, two studios, but sharing the same bloodline — the bloodline of those who once created a legend together. What made me pause was not the content of the congratulation, but how this story reflects a timeless rule in both sports and the creative industry: departure is not an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter. When Tomaszkiewicz left CD Projekt Red, many considered it an irreplaceable loss. But from another perspective, that departure created a new ecosystem — where talents can freely develop, experiment, and create their own values. I remember the seasons when young players left their academies to seek opportunities at smaller clubs. Many called it betrayal, but in reality, it is the natural law of development. A player cannot sit on the bench of a big club forever; he needs to play, to make mistakes, and to learn. Rebel Wolves is the same. They are no longer shadows of CD Projekt Red; they are asserting themselves under their own name. The early positive reviews The Blood of Dawnwalker received are not just a victory for a new studio, but proof of a philosophy: talent is not limited by space, but shaped by freedom. When Tomaszkiewicz had full creative control, he created a world with a personal imprint — something he perhaps never had while working under a large corporation. I suddenly remembered a Malaysia Cup semi-final night in 2026, when I sat in the press room and saw the eyes of the losing team's coach. He said nothing about tactics, did not blame the referee. He just looked down at his hands, as if trying to hold onto something that had slipped away. In that moment, I realized that in football, as in any creative industry, departures always leave gaps — but those gaps are where new things bloom. Philipp Weber congratulated Rebel Wolves not because he wanted to show generosity. He understands that the success of The Blood of Dawnwalker does not diminish the value of The Witcher 4. On the contrary, it reinforces the legacy they both share. When a brother succeeds, the whole family is honored — that is the law of those who share a common origin. But there is another perspective few mention: the silent competition between the two studios. Despite the sincerity of the congratulation, no one can deny that The Blood of Dawnwalker and The Witcher 4 stand on the same front line — the front line of open-world RPGs. The success of one can pressure the other, and vice versa. This is not a direct match, but a marathon where each step of one is observed by the other. In football, we often see coaches leave a big club to go to a smaller team, bringing their philosophy and building a new squad. When the old club meets the new club, the match is not just a contest between two teams, but a contest between two philosophies, two ways of seeing football. Rebel Wolves and CD Projekt Red are the same. They are writing parallel stories, and the fans are the ones who benefit from this competition. I remember a groundskeeper at an 87,000-seat stadium in Bukit Jalil, who told me on a night with no spectators: "The grass does not know if anyone is watching. The grass only knows it must be green." That phrase echoes in me every time I witness power transitions in the creative industry. Whether anyone is watching or not, whether anyone is judging or not, game makers continue to create their own worlds. They do not need recognition to continue; they continue because it is their nature. The positive reviews The Blood of Dawnwalker received are an important signal, not just for Rebel Wolves but for the entire gaming industry. It proves that a small studio, with creative freedom, can still produce high-quality products that compete with the giants. This is like the small teams in Southeast Asia — they may not have huge budgets, but with the right strategy and confidence, they can still create surprises on the continental stage. The story between Philipp Weber and Rebel Wolves is not just a simple congratulation. It is a reminder that in any industry, mutual respect between those who share a common passion is the most precious thing. When we see people who once created something great together, then go their separate ways, but still offer each other respect, we understand that true value lies not in personal success, but in what we leave for each other. In a world where competition is often prioritized, the moment Philipp Weber sent his congratulations to Rebel Wolves is a rare bright spot. It shows us that, even on different paths, those who share a common origin can still offer each other respect and admiration. And that, perhaps, is the most beautiful thing the creative industry can offer. As I write these lines, I remember a phrase I have kept in my heart for years: "In the eyes of the coach on that Kuala Lumpur night, I saw a final no one ever mentioned." Perhaps, in Philipp Weber's congratulation, I also see such a final — a final of respect, of camaraderie, of people who understand that another's success does not diminish their own value. At two in the morning in Moscow, I heard an entire football empire collapse into a sigh. But tonight, in Penang, I hear something different — the applause of one person for his brother, a congratulation for those writing new pages of history. And I realize that, whether football or games, whether the pitch or the virtual world, the core values remain the same: respect, dedication, and love for what one creates. The groundskeeper of the 87,000-seat stadium has never watched a match from the VIP seats. But he understands that every centimeter of grass he cares for contributes to great moments. Philipp Weber and Rebel Wolves are the same. They may never sit in the same seat, but they understand that every line of code, every line of dialogue, every small detail contributes to worlds millions will explore. And that, perhaps, is the most precious thing.