Witcher 4: Geralt Bows Out, New Lead Emerges

Geralt of Rivia, the iconic Witcher, is confirmed to return in The Witcher 4, according to voice actor Doug Cockle. However, this time around, the focus shifts away from the White Wolf, paving the way for new protagonists.

Geralt's Role in The Witcher 4

"The Witcher 4 is announced, and I can't reveal specifics. Geralt will be in the game," Cockle stated. "But the extent of his involvement is unclear. This time, the focus isn't on him."

The mystery surrounding the new protagonist adds to the anticipation. A Cat School medallion, featured in a previous Unreal Engine 5 teaser, sparks speculation about a potential connection to the decimated Cat School. Gwent card game lore suggests surviving members, fueling the theory of a vengeful Cat School Witcher taking center stage.

Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. The Witcher books show Ciri possessing a Cat medallion, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt subtly hints at this connection by replacing Geralt's Wolf medallion with a Cat medallion when players control Ciri. This suggests a potential mentorship role for Geralt, similar to Vessemir, or a more limited appearance through flashbacks or cameos.

The Witcher 4's Development and Release

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's goal: to appeal to both new and existing fans. Development, under the codename "Polaris," began in 2023, with a team of over 400 developers—CD Projekt Red's largest project to date. However, due to the ambitious scope and the development of new Unreal Engine 5 technologies, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated a release date at least three years out. For more detailed release date predictions, see the related article.