"Witcher 4: Geralt's Lead Role in Question, Says VA"

Exciting news for fans of *The Witcher* series: Geralt of Rivia, the iconic White Wolf, is set to return in *The Witcher 4*, as confirmed by the character's voice actor, Doug Cockle. However, fans should prepare for a shift in the narrative, as Geralt won't be the central figure this time around.

'It's Not About Him This Time', Voice Actor Said

Despite earlier hints that *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* would mark the end of Geralt's journey, Cockle has now confirmed his character's involvement in the upcoming game. In a recent interview with Fall Damage, he hinted at a new direction for the series, suggesting that while Geralt will appear, his role will be more supportive than central.

"Witcher 4 has been announced. I can’t say anything about it. What we know is that Geralt will be part of the game," Cockle stated. "We just don’t know how much. And the game won’t focus on Geralt, so it’s not about him this time."

The identity of the new protagonist remains a mystery, with Cockle expressing his own curiosity about who will take the lead. "We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know," he shared, fueling speculation about a new character stepping into the spotlight.

A clue from a *Witcher 4* teaser shown in an Unreal Engine 5 presentation two years ago has sparked theories. A Cat medallion, associated with the School of the Cat, was spotted, hinting at potential survivors from this decimated order. This aligns with lore from *Gwent: The Witcher Card Game*, which suggests that some members of the School of the Cat still roam the world, seeking vengeance.

Another strong contender for the protagonist role is Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. Her connection to the Cat medallion is evident in the books and subtly reinforced in *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt*, where her gameplay segments feature the Cat medallion instead of the traditional Wolf one. Some fans speculate that Geralt might take on a mentor role similar to Vesemir, while others believe his appearances could be limited to flashbacks or cameos.

The Witcher 4's Development

In an interview with Lega Nerd, *The Witcher 4*'s game director, Sebastian Kalemba, highlighted the game's dual aim: to attract new players while continuing to engage long-time fans with Geralt's story. Despite the excitement, fans should prepare for a wait, as the game's release is still several years away.

*The Witcher 4*, codenamed Polaris, officially began development in 2023. By October of that year, nearly half of CD Projekt Red's development team, around 330 developers, were working on the project following the release of *Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty*. This number has since increased to over 400, making it the studio's largest project to date, according to Pawel Sasko, associate game director for *Cyberpunk 2077*'s upcoming sequel.

Despite the significant resources dedicated to the project, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated in October 2022 that the game's release would be at least three years away, due to its ambitious scope and the development of new technology within Unreal Engine 5.

For more insights and predictions on when *The Witcher 4* might hit the shelves, be sure to check out the article below!