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, But Not as the Lead
A Shift in Focus
While the White Wolf's presence is confirmed, Cockle clarified in an interview with Fall Damage that Geralt won't be the central figure this time. He stated, "Witcher 4 has been announced...Geralt will be part of the game," but added, "the game won’t focus on Geralt, so it’s not about him this time." The extent of his involvement remains undisclosed.
The identity of the new protagonist is a closely guarded secret, even from Cockle himself, who admitted, "We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know."
Speculation and Clues
A Cat School medallion, seen in a previous Unreal Engine 5 teaser, fuels speculation about a potential Cat School Witcher as the protagonist. Gwent card game lore hints at surviving members of the order, seeking vengeance.
Another popular theory points to Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Evidence from the books and The Witcher 3 supports this, particularly Ciri's possession of a Cat School medallion. Her role could range from a leading protagonist to a more limited appearance.
Development and Release Date
Game director Sebastian Kalemba, in an interview with Lega Nerd, highlighted the game's goal: appealing to both newcomers and longtime fans. The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, began development in 2023, employing over 400 developers—CD Projekt Red's largest project to date. However, due to the game's ambitious scope and technological advancements within Unreal Engine 5, a release date is still several years away, as indicated by CEO Adam Kiciński in October 2022.
