Geralt's Journey Ends: Witcher 4 Embraces New Protagonist

Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle. However, this doesn't mean he'll be the protagonist. The game will focus on new characters, with Geralt playing a supporting role.

Geralt's Return, But Not as the Lead

A Shift in Focus

While the White Wolf is back, Cockle clarified in an interview with Fall Damage that Geralt won't be the central figure this time. He 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...And the game won’t focus on Geralt, so it’s not about him this time."

The new protagonist's identity remains undisclosed. 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.

A Cat School Survivor?

The teaser trailer from two years ago, showcased during an Unreal Engine 5 presentation, featured a Cat School medallion buried in the snow. This, coupled with hints from Gwent: The Witcher Card Game suggesting surviving members of the decimated Cat School, points towards a possible protagonist from this order.

Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Evidence from the books and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (where Ciri's use of a Cat medallion replaces Geralt's Wolf medallion in the HUD) strengthens this theory. Ciri could potentially step into the lead role, with Geralt serving as a mentor figure, similar to Vessemir. Alternatively, Geralt's involvement might be limited to flashbacks or cameos.

The Witcher 4's Development and Release

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's aim: to attract new players while satisfying long-time fans. However, The Witcher 4 (codenamed Polaris), despite entering development in 2023 with a large team (over 400 developers), is expected to have a release date several years out. The ambitious scope and development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology contribute to the extended timeline.