Doug Cockle, the iconic voice behind Geralt in The Witcher series, has firmly addressed the backlash surrounding the decision to feature Ciri as the protagonist in The Witcher 4. In a video interview with Fall Damage, Cockle dismissed the criticism as "stupid" and defended the choice to shift the focus to Ciri, emphasizing that it's not a "woke" move but a natural progression for the franchise.
"It's not woke," Cockle asserted. "There's nothing woke about it. [Ciri]'s a cool character from The Witcher, and they're gonna focus on that character, and that's awesome." He pointed out the richness of Ciri's character and the unexplored potential within her story, which was hinted at in The Witcher 3 but not fully explored due to the game's focus on Geralt.
Cockle, who will reprise his role as Geralt in The Witcher 4 albeit not as the main character, expressed enthusiasm for Ciri taking center stage. "We can't just have Geralt for every single game for The Witcher ad nauseam, out through eternity," he said, highlighting the need for new narratives within the series. He celebrated Ciri's role, suggesting that those who criticize the decision should reconsider their stance by reading Andrzej Sapkowski's original books.
"If you read the books, then you understand why CD Projekt went down this avenue," Cockle explained. He encouraged detractors to delve into the novels, not only for their quality but also to gain a deeper understanding of Ciri's significance in the Witcher universe. "If you think it's woke, read the damn books — they're good, first of all. And secondly, you won't think it's so woke anymore."
The Witcher series, set after the events of Sapkowski's novels, has always been inspired by the rich world the author created. While Sapkowski has distanced his work from the games, both he and CD Projekt recognize Ciri's pivotal role and her readiness to lead when Geralt steps back.
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Cockle's comments underscore the excitement surrounding The Witcher 4 and its new direction, promising fans a fresh yet deeply rooted experience in the beloved universe.
