CD Projekt Red has officially unveiled The Witcher 4, a highly anticipated sequel in the beloved franchise, with a reveal trailer at The Game Awards 2024. In this new installment, players will step into the shoes of Ciri, the adopted daughter of the series’ original protagonist, Geralt of Rivia. The shift represents a monumental moment for the franchise, as it begins a fresh trilogy set after the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
In an exclusive interview with IGN, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained the reasoning behind this choice, calling Ciri “the very organic, logical choice” for the new chapter. “It was always about her, starting from the Saga when you read it in the books. She’s an amazing, layered character. And of course, as a protagonist, we said goodbye to Geralt previously. So this is a continuation. She was meant to be.”
Game director Sebastian Kalemba, speaking with PC Gamer, elaborated on how Ciri’s youth allows for greater narrative flexibility and player-driven choices. “She’s about to become the Witcher,” Kalemba said. “She’s about to actually form her own codex, but on her own terms. The way she deals with monsters, the way she approaches quests—it’s uniquely hers. This gives us so much room to tell diverse stories and explore her depth in ways we couldn’t with Geralt.”
While Ciri takes the spotlight, fans of Geralt can breathe a sigh of relief, as CD Projekt Red confirmed the White Wolf’s presence in the game. During the reveal, Geralt’s voice actor Doug Cockle was heard in the trailer, delivering the line: “Time for a new saga, see you on the path.” In a statement to IGN, the developer clarified that while Geralt is no longer the protagonist, he will appear in The Witcher 4. “Geralt will appear in the game, but we don’t want to spoil his role precisely. You’ll have to wait to learn more,” they teased.
Kalemba further emphasized in his interview with PC Gamer that Geralt’s presence will continue to resonate in the franchise, even as Ciri takes center stage in not just The Witcher 4 but in a planned trilogy. “This has been in the works for more than a decade,” he said. “Ciri’s ascension is a natural path for her to prove herself as a Witcher while leading players on a fresh journey. Geralt isn’t gone, but the focus is now on Ciri’s growth.”
The developer also addressed which of the branching endings from The Witcher 3 would be canon. While multiple outcomes are possible for Ciri, the trailer suggests she faked her death to pursue the life of a Witcher, rather than ruling as Empress of Nilfgaard or succumbing to the White Frost.
There haven’t been any launch details for Witcher 04 yet. That means that neither is there a confirmed — or even tentative — release date yet, nor is there any sense of what platforms it will land on. Given that the game only entered full-scale production earlier this year, it’s very unlikely that the game will come out in 2025, and 2026 seems ambitious as well.
