Witcher 4 Boots Geralt from Lead Role According to VA

Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle, but the iconic Witcher won't be the protagonist this time around. While he'll feature in the game, the narrative focus shifts to new characters.

Geralt's Role in The Witcher 4

A Supporting Character, Not the Star

"Witcher 4 is happening. I can't divulge details. We know Geralt will be in it," Cockle stated. "But his involvement's uncertain, and the game won't center on him. This time, it's a different story."

The identity of The Witcher 4's lead remains a closely guarded secret. Even Cockle admitted, "We don't know who the protagonist is. I'm eager to find out myself!" This strongly suggests a new main character.

Speculation centers on a two-year-old Unreal Engine 5 teaser, showcasing a Cat School medallion buried in the snow. While the Cat School was decimated before The Witcher 3, Gwent hints at surviving members: "Those who weren't there… roam the world's ends—bitter, vengeful, with nothing left to lose…"

Another popular theory points to Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. The Witcher books mention Ciri obtaining a Cat medallion after a significant victory, and The Witcher 3 subtly connects Ciri to the Cat School by replacing Geralt's Wolf medallion with a Cat medallion during her playable segments.

Some predict Ciri taking the lead with Geralt as a mentor, similar to Vessemir. Others believe his involvement might be limited to flashbacks or brief appearances.

The Development of The Witcher 4

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's dual objective: to attract new fans while satisfying long-time fans' desire for Geralt's story to continue. However, the wait for this new chapter will likely be considerable.

The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, commenced development in 2023. CD Projekt Red's 2023 financial report revealed that nearly half their development team (around 330 developers) was dedicated to the project by October 2023, following Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's release. This number has since increased to over 400, making it CD Projekt Red's largest project to date in terms of personnel, according to Pawel Sasko.

Despite the substantial investment, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated in October 2022 that the game's release would be at least three years away, owing to the ambitious scope and the development of new Unreal Engine 5 technologies. For release date predictions, see the linked article below!