Witcher 4 Boots Geralt from Lead Role According to VA

Geralt of Rivia, the iconic Witcher, is confirmed to return in The Witcher 4, according to voice actor Doug Cockle. However, this time, the spotlight shifts away from the grizzled monster hunter.

A New Protagonist Takes Center Stage

While Geralt's presence is assured, his role will be supporting, not central to the narrative, according to Cockle's interview with Fall Damage. The game's focus is on new characters, with the identity of the new protagonist remaining a closely guarded secret. Cockle himself expressed excitement to learn who will take the lead.

Speculation is rife. A Cat School medallion, featured in an Unreal Engine 5 teaser two years ago, hints at a possible connection to the School of the Cat, whose members were thought decimated. Gwent cards suggest surviving members, possibly seeking vengeance. Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, supported by her possession of a Cat medallion in the books and the subtle use of a Cat medallion instead of Geralt’s Wolf medallion in Ciri's Witcher 3 gameplay segments. Whether Ciri takes the lead, or Geralt's role is limited to flashbacks or cameos, remains to be seen.

Development and Release Date

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted The Witcher 4's (codenamed Polaris) goal: to attract new fans while satisfying long-time fans. Development, begun in 2023, is CD Projekt Red's largest project to date, employing over 400 developers. However, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated a release date at least three years out, given the ambitious scope and development of new Unreal Engine 5 technologies.

The wait for The Witcher 4 will likely be considerable, but the anticipation for this new chapter is palpable. The shift in focus promises a fresh and exciting direction for the beloved franchise.