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

The Witcher 4: A New Protagonist Takes Center Stage

Geralt's Supporting Role Confirmed

In a recent interview, Cockle hinted at a new direction for the series. Although specifics remain undisclosed, he stressed that Geralt's role will be supporting, not leading, 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 stated. "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 new protagonist remains a secret. Cockle himself admitted, "We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know," further emphasizing the introduction of a fresh character.

Speculation centers around a Cat School Witcher, hinted at in a two-year-old Witcher 4 teaser showcasing a Cat medallion buried in the snow. While the School was decimated before The Witcher 3, Gwent card game lore suggests surviving members, "embittered, hungry for vengeance, with nothing left to lose…"

Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. The Witcher books depict Ciri obtaining a Cat medallion, and The Witcher 3 subtly reinforces this connection by replacing Geralt's Wolf medallion with a Cat medallion when players control Ciri.

While some predict Ciri taking the lead with Geralt as a mentor figure, others suggest a more limited role for Geralt, possibly through flashbacks or brief appearances.

The Witcher 4's Development

In an interview, game director Sebastian Kalemba highlighted the game's goal: to attract new fans while satisfying existing ones wanting more of Geralt's story. However, the wait may be lengthy.

The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, began development in 2023. CD Projekt Red's 2023 report revealed that nearly half their development team—around 330 developers—were dedicated to the project by October 2023. This number has since grown to over 400, making it the studio's largest project.

Despite this massive investment, a substantial delay is anticipated. In October 2022, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated a minimum three-year wait due to the ambitious scope and the development of new Unreal Engine 5 technologies. For release date predictions, see the linked article.