Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle, but his role will be significantly different this time around. While the beloved Witcher will feature, the narrative focus shifts to new protagonists.
Geralt's Supporting Role in The Witcher 4
A New Chapter, A New Lead
Though initially believed to conclude with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt's story continues in the upcoming installment. However, Cockle clarified in an interview with Fall Damage that Geralt won't be the central figure. His participation will be more of a supporting role, a departure from previous games.
Cockle stated, "Witcher 4 has been announced. I can’t say anything about it. What we know is that Geralt will be part of the game," adding, "We just don’t know how much. And the game won’t focus on Geralt, so it’s not about him this time."
The mystery surrounding the new protagonist remains. 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 character taking the lead.
Intriguing Clues and Potential Protagonists
A Cat School medallion, visible in the Witcher 4 teaser from two years ago (an Unreal Engine 5 presentation), hints at a potential connection to the School of the Cat. While decimated before The Witcher 3, Gwent's seasonal tree suggests surviving members, "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 medallion, and The Witcher 3 subtly reinforces this by replacing Geralt's Wolf medallion with a Cat medallion when players control Ciri. This suggests a possible mentorship role for Geralt, similar to Vessemir, or a more limited appearance through flashbacks or cameos.
The Witcher 4's Development and Release
Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's goal: to appeal to both newcomers and long-time fans. However, despite the significant investment – with over 400 developers working on the project, codenamed Polaris, making it CD Projekt Red's largest undertaking – the release date remains several years away, possibly three or more, due to the ambitious scope and development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology.
