Witcher 4 Boots Geralt from Lead Role According to VA

While Geralt of Rivia will return in The Witcher 4, according to voice actor Doug Cockle, he won't be the protagonist. This confirms the iconic Witcher's presence, but signals a shift in focus towards new characters.

Geralt's Role in The Witcher 4

A Supporting Character, Not the Star

The identity of the new protagonist remains a mystery. Cockle himself expressed excitement and curiosity about the lead character, further hinting at a fresh face taking center stage.

Speculation points to several possibilities. A Cat School medallion, featured in an early Unreal Engine 5 teaser, suggests a survivor of that decimated Witcher school might be the protagonist. The Gwent card game also alludes to vengeful Cat School survivors. Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, supported by evidence from the books and subtle hints within The Witcher 3.

Whether Ciri takes the lead with Geralt mentoring, or if his involvement is limited to flashbacks or cameos, remains to be seen.

The Development of The Witcher 4

Game director Sebastian Kalemba highlighted the game's goal: to attract new players while satisfying long-time fans. However, the wait will be considerable.

The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, began development in 2023. CD Projekt Red's 2023 earnings report revealed a substantial team of over 400 developers working on the project, making it the studio's largest undertaking. Despite this commitment, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated a release date at least three years out, due to the game's scale and the development of new technology within Unreal Engine 5.