Witcher 4: Geralt Hangs Up the Sword

The Witcher’s Geralt of Rivia is returning for The Witcher 4, according to voice actor Doug Cockle. However, while the iconic Witcher will be part of the game, the focus will shift to new characters.

Geralt of Rivia Returns in The Witcher 4, But Not as Protagonist

‘It’s Not About Him This Time’, Voice Actor Said

The White Wolf returns! Despite previous indications that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt would be the end of his story, voice actor Doug Cockle confirmed Geralt’s appearance in The Witcher 4. However, fans should temper their expectations, as Cockle also revealed that the game won’t focus on the grizzled monster hunter.

In a recent interview with Fall Damage, Cockle hinted at a shift in the series’ direction. While he couldn’t provide specifics, he emphasized that Geralt’s role will be supporting rather than central to the narrative.

"Witcher 4 has been announced. I can’t say anything about it. What we know is that Geralt will be part of the game," Cockle said. "We just don’t know how much. And the game won’t focus on Geralt, so it’s not about him this time."

The identity of the protagonist in the Witcher 4 remains a closely guarded secret. "We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know," admitted Doug Cockle, lending credence to the idea of a fresh face taking center stage.

One intriguing possibility emerges from a seemingly innocuous detail in the Witcher 4 teaser posted two years ago in an Unreal Engine 5 presentation. A Cat medallion, symbol of the once-feared School of the Cat, was spotted buried in the snow. Though the order was decimated by Nilfgaardian forces years before The Witcher 3, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game’s seasonal tree hints at survivors: "As for those who were not present during the attack? They continue to roam the world’s ends—embittered, hungry for vengeance, with nothing left to lose…"

However, many also bet on Ciri, Geralt’s adopted daughter, to take the lead. Evidence supporting this theory abounds. In the Witcher books, she acquired a Cat medallion after defeating a formidable foe. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt subtly reinforces this link by swapping the Wolf medallion next to Geralt’s health bar for a Cat medallion when players take control of Ciri.

While some envision Ciri stepping into the spotlight with Geralt assuming a mentor-like role, akin to Vessemir, others believe his involvement might be more circumscribed, perhaps limited to flashbacks or cameo appearances.

The Witcher 4’s Development

In an interview with Italian news outlet Lega Nerd, The Witcher 4’s game director, Sebastian Kalemba, emphasized the game’s purpose: to welcome newcomers to the series while satisfying longtime fans eager to continue Geralt’s story. While anticipation is high, the wait for the new chapter could be a few years off.

The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, officially entered development in 2023. According to CD Projekt Red’s 2023 earnings report, nearly half of the studio’s development team—approximately 330 developers—was dedicated to the project by October that year, following the release of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. This number has since grown to over 400, making The Witcher 4 the studio’s largest project in terms of manpower, according to Pawel Sasko, associate game director for Cyberpunk 2077’s upcoming sequel.

Despite this significant investment, fans should brace themselves for an extended wait. In October 2022, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated that the game’s release would be at least three years away due to the ambitious scope of the project, which includes developing new technology within Unreal Engine 5.

For our predictions as to when the game will release, check out the article below!