Witcher 4: Geralt's Time Ends, New Hero Emerges

Geralt of Rivia Returns to The Witcher 4, But Not as the Lead

Voice actor Doug Cockle confirms the return of Geralt in The Witcher 4, but clarifies that the focus will shift away from the iconic Witcher. While Geralt will feature in the game, his role will be supporting rather than central to the narrative. Cockle stated in an interview with Fall Damage, "Witcher 4 has been announced...Geralt will be part of the game, but the game won't focus on Geralt, so it's not about him this time."

The identity of the new protagonist remains undisclosed, fueling speculation. Intriguingly, a Cat medallion, symbolic of the School of the Cat, was featured in a two-year-old Unreal Engine 5 teaser trailer. This, coupled with hints from Gwent: The Witcher Card Game suggesting surviving members of the School, points towards a potential new lead character.

Another strong contender for the protagonist role is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Her connection to the Cat School, evidenced by both the books and a subtle detail in The Witcher 3 (where Ciri's health bar features a Cat medallion), makes her a compelling candidate. Her role could be a continuation of her story, perhaps with Geralt acting as a mentor figure.

The Witcher 4's Development: A Large-Scale Undertaking

The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, officially began development in 2023, currently employing over 400 developers at CD Projekt Red – making it the studio's largest project. Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's aim to both welcome new players and satisfy longtime fans. Despite the significant investment, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated a release date at least three years out, given the ambitious scope and development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology. The wait for the next chapter in the Witcher saga will likely be substantial.

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