Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle, but his role will be significantly different this time around. While the iconic Witcher will feature, the narrative focus shifts to new protagonists.
Geralt's Diminished Role in The Witcher 4
A Supporting Character, Not the Star
Though Geralt's presence is confirmed, Cockle clarified in an interview with Fall Damage that he won't be the central figure. His involvement will be supporting, a departure from previous installments. The exact extent of his appearance remains undisclosed.
"Witcher 4 is announced. I can't say anything about it. 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(s) is currently under wraps. Cockle himself expressed excitement and curiosity about the reveal, further suggesting a significant change in the game's narrative direction.
Speculation and Clues
A Cat School medallion, visible in a previous Unreal Engine 5 teaser, fuels speculation about a potential Cat School Witcher as the main character. The decimated School's history, hinted at in Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, suggests surviving members seeking vengeance.
Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Her possession of a Cat School medallion in the books, and the game's subtle use of a Cat medallion in place of Geralt's Wolf medallion during Ciri's playable segments in The Witcher 3, adds weight to this theory. Her role could range from a central protagonist to a more limited mentorship role, similar to Vessemir's.
The Witcher 4's Development and Release
Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's dual aim: attracting newcomers while satisfying long-time fans. However, despite a large development team (over 400 developers, making it CD Projekt Red's largest project), a considerable wait is expected, potentially several years, due to the ambitious scope and technological advancements utilizing Unreal Engine 5.
