Witcher 4: Geralt Retires in Favor of New Hero

Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle. However, this doesn't mean he'll be the protagonist. The game will focus on new characters, with Geralt playing a supporting role.

Geralt's Return: A Supporting Role

A New Chapter, A New Protagonist

While the iconic Witcher will feature in The Witcher 4, Cockle clarified in an interview with Fall Damage that Geralt won't be the central focus. He stated that Geralt's involvement is confirmed, but the extent of his role remains unknown, emphasizing that the narrative will shift away from the veteran monster hunter.

The identity of the new protagonist remains a mystery, even to Cockle himself, fueling speculation amongst fans.

A Cat School medallion, glimpsed in a previous Unreal Engine 5 teaser, hints at a potential protagonist from the decimated Cat School. Gwent card game lore suggests surviving members, bitter and vengeful, could be central to the story.

Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Her possession of a Cat School medallion in the books, and the subtle game mechanic in The Witcher 3 swapping Geralt's Wolf medallion for a Cat medallion when playing as Ciri, adds weight to this theory. Her role could range from a leading protagonist to a mentor figure, similar to Vessemir.

The Witcher 4's Development and Release

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's aim: to attract newcomers while satisfying longtime fans. The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, began development in 2023, and by October, nearly half of CD Projekt Red's development team (around 330 developers) was dedicated to the project. This number has since increased to over 400, making it the studio's largest project to date.

Despite the significant investment, a considerable wait is anticipated. CEO Adam Kiciński previously suggested a release date at least three years out, citing the ambitious scope and development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology.