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 iconic Witcher will feature, the spotlight shifts to a new protagonist.
Geralt's Supporting Role in The Witcher 4
The beloved White Wolf is back! Contrary to earlier suggestions that *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* concluded his story, Cockle confirmed his presence in the upcoming sequel. However, he clarified that Geralt won't be the central focus. In a recent interview, Cockle hinted at a narrative shift, emphasizing Geralt's supporting role. He stated that while Geralt's involvement is confirmed, the extent of his participation remains undisclosed, and the game's narrative will not revolve around him.
The identity of the new protagonist remains a mystery. Cockle himself expressed excitement and curiosity about the new lead character, further fueling speculation.
Intriguing clues from the Witcher 4 teaser trailer, featuring a Cat School medallion, suggest a possible connection to the long-lost School of the Cat. While decimated years prior, Gwent card game lore hints at surviving members seeking revenge.
Another strong contender for the lead role is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. The Witcher books depict Ciri acquiring a Cat School medallion, and The Witcher 3 subtly reinforces this by switching Geralt's Wolf medallion for a Cat medallion during Ciri's gameplay segments. While some anticipate a mentor-mentee dynamic between Geralt and Ciri, similar to Geralt and Vesemir, others believe his role might be more limited, possibly through flashbacks or cameos.
Development of The Witcher 4
Game director Sebastian Kalemba highlighted the game's dual objective: to attract new players while satisfying longtime fans. However, despite the significant investment of over 400 developers—making it CD Projekt Red's largest project to date—a substantial wait is anticipated. The ambitious scope, including the development of new Unreal Engine 5 technologies, suggests a release date at least three years out, as indicated by CEO Adam Kiciński.
