Geralt of Rivia Returns in The Witcher 4, but Steps Aside from the Protagonist Role
Voice actor Doug Cockle confirms the return of Geralt in The Witcher 4, but clarifies that the iconic Witcher will not be the game's central focus. While Geralt's presence is confirmed, the narrative will shift to new characters. Cockle stated in an interview with Fall Damage that the game "won't focus on Geralt; it's not about him this time."
This shift in focus leaves the identity of the new protagonist shrouded in mystery. Cockle himself admits, "We don't know who it's about. I'm excited to find out."
Speculation abounds regarding the new protagonist. A Cat School medallion, featured in a previous Unreal Engine 5 teaser, hints at a potential connection to the School of the Cat, whose members, according to Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, still roam the world.
Another leading contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. The Witcher 3 subtly hints at this possibility by swapping Geralt's Wolf medallion for a Cat medallion when players control Ciri. While some suggest Ciri could take the lead with Geralt in a mentor role, others speculate his involvement might be limited to flashbacks or cameos.
The Witcher 4's Development: A Large-Scale Undertaking
Game director Sebastian Kalemba highlighted the game's aim to attract newcomers while satisfying existing fans. The project, codenamed "Polaris," officially began development in 2023 and currently boasts a team of over 400 developers—making it CD Projekt Red's largest project to date. However, this ambitious undertaking, involving the development of new technology within Unreal Engine 5, means a considerable wait is anticipated. CEO Adam Kiciński previously indicated a release date at least three years out. The images below showcase concept art and further highlight the scale of the project.
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The development team's extensive efforts and the utilization of Unreal Engine 5 suggest a visually stunning and narratively compelling experience is in the works. However, fans should prepare for a potentially lengthy wait before experiencing this new chapter in the Witcher saga.