Witcher 4: Geralt Retires, New Protagonist Emerges

Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle. However, the game will feature a new protagonist, shifting the narrative focus away from the iconic Witcher.

Geralt's Role in The Witcher 4

A Supporting Character, Not the Star

The identity of the new protagonist is currently a secret. Cockle himself expressed excitement and curiosity about the reveal, suggesting a fresh character will take center stage.

Speculation on the New Protagonist

Theories abound, fueled by a Cat School medallion spotted in the Witcher 4 teaser trailer. While the Cat School was decimated, Gwent card game lore hints at surviving members, potentially setting the stage for a new protagonist.

Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. This theory is supported by book lore where Ciri obtains a Cat medallion and by The Witcher 3 subtly replacing Geralt's Wolf medallion with a Cat medallion during Ciri's gameplay segments. Ciri's potential role could range from a leading protagonist to a supporting character, possibly mirroring Vesemir's mentorship of Geralt.

The Witcher 4's Development and Release

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's dual objective: attracting new players while satisfying long-time fans. Despite a large development team (over 400 developers), a release date is still several years away due to the project's ambitious scope and the development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology. The game, codenamed Polaris, officially began development in 2023.