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 feature new central characters, with Geralt taking on a supporting role.

Geralt Returns, But Not as the Lead

A Shift in Focus

The new protagonist's identity is currently a mystery. Even Cockle 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, featured in an Unreal Engine 5 teaser two years prior, has sparked speculation. Considering the Cat School's decimation, the possibility of a surviving member taking the lead is intriguing, especially given Gwent's description of vengeful survivors.

Another strong contender is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Her possession of a Cat medallion in the books and the game's subtle use of a Cat medallion during Ciri's gameplay segments in The Witcher 3 fuel this theory. Her role could range from a leading protagonist to a mentor figure, similar to Vessemir's role in previous games.

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. However, the game, codenamed Polaris, is a large-scale project. Development began in 2023, with a significant portion of CD Projekt Red's team dedicated to it. Despite this, CEO Adam Kiciński previously indicated a release date at least three years out due to the ambitious scope and development of new Unreal Engine 5 technologies.