Geralt of Rivia Returns to The Witcher 4, But Not as the Lead
Voice actor Doug Cockle confirms the return of Geralt in The Witcher 4, but clarifies that the focus will shift away from the iconic Witcher. While Geralt will feature, he won't be the protagonist. 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 narrative direction leaves the identity of the main character shrouded in mystery. Cockle himself admits, "We don't know who it's about. I'm excited to find out. I want to know."
Speculation abounds regarding the new protagonist. A Cat School medallion, visible in a previous Unreal Engine 5 teaser, hints at a potential connection to the remnants of the Cat School, described in Gwent: The Witcher Card Game as "embittered, hungry for vengeance, with nothing left to lose." Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, supported by her possession of a Cat medallion in the books and the game's subtle swapping of medallions when players control her. Her potential role could range from a central protagonist to a mentor-like figure, similar to Vessemir.
The Witcher 4's Development: A Large-Scale Undertaking
Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's goal: to attract new players while satisfying long-time fans. However, the ambitious project, codenamed Polaris, will require significant time.
Development commenced in 2023, and by October, nearly half of CD Projekt Red's development team (around 330 developers) was dedicated to it. This number has since increased to over 400, making it the studio's largest project to date. Despite the considerable resources, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated a release date at least three years out due to the complexities of developing new technologies within Unreal Engine 5. The wait for this next chapter in the Witcher saga promises to be lengthy but potentially rewarding. [Link to article predicting release date].
(Images of Geralt and the Cat School medallion would be included here, as in the original.)
