Geralt of Rivia, the iconic Witcher, is returning in The Witcher 4, according to voice actor Doug Cockle. However, while the White Wolf will make an appearance, the game will focus on new protagonists.
Geralt's Return: A Supporting Role in The Witcher 4
A New Chapter, A New Focus
Despite previous suggestions that *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* would conclude Geralt's story, his voice actor confirmed his presence in the upcoming installment. However, Cockle clarified that Geralt won't be the central figure this time. In an interview with Fall Damage, he hinted at a shift in the narrative's focus, stating that Geralt's role will be more supportive than leading. "Witcher 4 has been announced. I can’t say anything about it. What we know is that Geralt will be part of the game," Cockle said. "We just don’t know how much. And the game won’t focus on Geralt, so it’s not about him this time."
The identity of the new protagonist remains a mystery. Cockle himself admitted, "We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know," fueling speculation about a fresh face taking the lead.
One intriguing clue comes from a two-year-old teaser trailer showcasing a Cat School medallion buried in the snow. While the School of the Cat was decimated long ago, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game suggests survivors might still be out there, hinting at a potential new protagonist connected to this order. "As for those who were not present during the attack? They continue to roam the world’s ends—embittered, hungry for vengeance, with nothing left to lose…"
Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. The Witcher books depict her acquiring a Cat School medallion, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt subtly reinforces this connection by replacing Geralt's Wolf medallion with a Cat medallion when players control Ciri. The possibilities range from Ciri taking the lead with Geralt as a mentor, similar to Vesemir's role, to a more limited appearance through flashbacks or cameos.
The Witcher 4's Development: A Massive Undertaking
In an interview with Lega Nerd, game director Sebastian Kalemba highlighted the game's goal: to appeal to both newcomers and longtime fans. While anticipation is high, the release date is still some time off.
The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, officially began development in 2023. CD Projekt Red's 2023 earnings report revealed that nearly half their development team (around 330 developers) was dedicated to the project by October, following the release of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. This number has since grown to over 400, making it CD Projekt Red's largest project to date, according to Pawel Sasko, associate game director for the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 sequel.
Despite the substantial investment, fans should expect a considerable wait. In October 2022, CEO Adam Kiciński suggested a release date at least three years out, citing the ambitious scope of the project and the development of new technology within Unreal Engine 5. For more predictions on the release date, check out the article below!
