While Geralt of Rivia will return in The Witcher 4, according to voice actor Doug Cockle, the iconic Witcher won't be the protagonist this time. The focus shifts to new characters, marking a significant departure from previous installments.
Geralt's Role in The Witcher 4
A Supporting Role for the White Wolf
Doug Cockle confirmed Geralt's presence in *The Witcher 4* in an interview with Fall Damage, but emphasized his role will be supportive, not central to the narrative. He stated, "Witcher 4 has been announced. Geralt will be part of the game, but the game won’t focus on Geralt; it’s not about him this time." The extent of his involvement remains undisclosed.
The mystery surrounding the new protagonist fuels speculation. Cockle himself admitted, "We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know," adding weight to the possibility of a fresh lead character.
Clues and Theories
A Cat School medallion, spotted in a previous Unreal Engine 5 teaser, hints at a possible connection to a surviving member of the decimated Cat School. Gwent card game lore suggests surviving members exist, bitter and vengeful.
Another popular theory centers on Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Book lore and subtle clues from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Ciri's use of a Cat School medallion) support this idea. Some predict a mentor-like role for Geralt, similar to Vessemir, while others suggest a more limited appearance, perhaps through flashbacks.
The Witcher 4's Development and Release
Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's aim: to attract new players while satisfying long-time fans. The Witcher 4 (codenamed Polaris), entered development in 2023, with a team of over 400 developers – CD Projekt Red's largest project to date.
However, despite the substantial investment, a release date remains distant. CEO Adam Kiciński suggested in 2022 that the release would be at least three years out due to the project's ambitious scope and the development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology.
