CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will be the most immersive and ambitious entry in the series yet, with Ciri taking center stage as the new Witcher. This decision, according to CDPR, was planned from the outset. Continue reading to learn more about Ciri's evolution and Geralt's well-deserved retirement.

A New Era for the Witcher

Ciri's Inevitable Path

Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga and game director Sebastian Kalemba described The Witcher 4 as "the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date," building upon the successes of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The cinematic trailer showcased Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, inheriting his mantle. Story director Tomasz Marchewka explained, "From the beginning, we knew it had to be Ciri – she's a complex character with a rich story to tell."

While fans adore Ciri's power in previous games, Mitręga hinted at a shift: Ciri was "totally overpowered" in The Witcher 3, but The Witcher 4 will present a different dynamic. Though details remain scarce ("something totally happened in-between," Mitręga teased), Kalemba assures players that the game will provide clear answers. "We cannot reveal how, but trust us: we've addressed this to ensure a satisfying narrative."

Despite this, Ciri will retain Geralt's influence. Mitręga notes, "She's faster, more agile, but you can still see Geralt's influence."

Geralt's Well-Earned Rest

With Ciri's ascension, Geralt's time for adventure is over. At over sixty in The Witcher 3, according to author Andrzej Sapkowski's novels, Geralt is nearing the end of his life, even for a Witcher, whose lifespan is around a hundred years. Sapkowski's Rozdroże kruków (Raven's Crossing) reveals Geralt's birth year, placing him in his seventies or possibly nearing eighty by The Witcher 4. This revelation surprised some fans who previously believed Geralt to be much older.