Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle, but the iconic Witcher won't be the protagonist this time around. While he'll feature in the game, the narrative focus shifts to new characters.
A New Protagonist for The Witcher 4
Geralt's Role: Supporting, Not Central
The White Wolf is back! Contrary to previous assumptions that *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* concluded his story, Cockle confirmed Geralt's presence in the upcoming sequel. However, he clarified that Geralt won't be the central figure. In an interview with Fall Damage, Cockle hinted at a significant change in direction, stating that Geralt's role will be supportive rather than leading the narrative. The specific nature of his involvement remains undisclosed.
The identity of The Witcher 4's protagonist remains a mystery, fueling speculation amongst fans. Cockle himself expressed excitement about discovering who the new lead character will be.
Clues and Speculation
A Cat School medallion, visible in a two-year-old Unreal Engine 5 teaser, hints at a possible protagonist connection to the School of the Cat. Although decimated before The Witcher 3, Gwent card game lore suggests surviving members are still active, seeking vengeance.
Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. The Witcher books and subtle elements in The Witcher 3 (the Cat medallion replacing the Wolf medallion during Ciri's gameplay segments) support this theory. Some predict Ciri taking the lead with Geralt in a mentor role similar to Vessemir, while others suggest a more limited role for Geralt, perhaps through flashbacks or brief appearances.
Development of The Witcher 4
Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's goal: to attract new players while satisfying long-time fans. Despite the considerable hype, the release date is still some time away.
The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, began development in 2023. CD Projekt Red's 2023 financial report revealed that, by October, almost half (approximately 330) of the studio's developers were working on the project. This number has since increased to over 400, making it the studio's most ambitious undertaking in terms of personnel. However, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated in October 2022 that the release would be at least three years out, due to the complexity of the project and the development of new technology within Unreal Engine 5. For release date predictions, please see the linked article.
