Witcher 4: Geralt Retires as Protagonist, Voice Actor Confirms

Geralt of Rivia's return in The Witcher 4 has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle. However, this doesn't mean he'll be the protagonist. The game will focus on new characters, with Geralt playing a supporting role.

Geralt's Return: A Supporting Role

A New Chapter, A New Hero

While the iconic Witcher will feature in The Witcher 4, Cockle clarified in an interview with Fall Damage that Geralt won't be the central figure. He stated, "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 much speculation.

The mystery surrounding the new protagonist is heightened by a detail from a two-year-old Unreal Engine 5 teaser. A Cat School medallion was shown, hinting at a potential connection to this once-feared Witcher school. While decimated before The Witcher 3, Gwent card game lore suggests surviving members, fueling speculation about a Cat School Witcher taking the lead.

Another prominent theory points to Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, inheriting the mantle. Evidence from the books and The Witcher 3 supports this, with Ciri possessing a Cat School medallion and the game subtly replacing Geralt's Wolf medallion with a Cat medallion during Ciri's gameplay sections. Whether Ciri takes the lead, with Geralt acting as a mentor, or if his involvement is limited to flashbacks or cameos, remains to be seen.

The Witcher 4's Development and Release

Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's aim: to attract new players while satisfying existing fans. The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, entered development in 2023, with a substantial team of over 400 developers. However, despite the considerable investment, CD Projekt Red's CEO Adam Kiciński indicated a release date at least three years out due to the project's ambitious scope and the development of new Unreal Engine 5 technology.