Witcher 4: Geralt Retires, New Protagonist Emerges

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, the narrative spotlight shifts to new characters.

A New Protagonist Takes Center Stage

Cockle, in an interview with Fall Damage, confirmed Geralt's presence but emphasized his supporting role: "Witcher 4 has been announced...Geralt will be part of the game," he stated, adding, "the game won’t focus on Geralt, so it’s not about him this time." The game's protagonist remains a mystery, leaving fans to speculate.

A Cat School medallion, glimpsed in an Unreal Engine 5 teaser, fuels speculation about a potential Cat School Witcher protagonist. Gwent lore hints at surviving members of this once-powerful order, seeking vengeance. Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, whose connection to a Cat School medallion is established in both the books and The Witcher 3. Whether Ciri takes the lead, with Geralt mentoring her, or his role is limited to flashbacks or cameos, remains to be seen.

The Witcher 4: Development and Release

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's dual purpose: to attract newcomers while satisfying longtime fans. Development, codenamed Polaris, began in 2023, with over 400 developers currently working on the project, making it CD Projekt Red's largest undertaking. However, due to the ambitious scope and development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology, CEO Adam Kiciński suggested a release date at least three years out from October 2022.