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
While Geralt will appear, his role will be secondary. Cockle confirmed Geralt's presence in an interview with Fall Damage, stating that the game's narrative won't center on him. The extent of his involvement remains undisclosed.
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.
