Exciting news for fans of *The Witcher* series: Geralt of Rivia is set to return in *The Witcher 4*, as confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle. However, while the iconic White Wolf will make an appearance, the spotlight will shine on new characters, marking a significant shift in the series' narrative direction.

‘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's recent interview with Fall Damage revealed that the beloved monster hunter will indeed feature in *The Witcher 4*. However, fans should manage their expectations, as Cockle clarified that Geralt's role will be supportive rather 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. Cockle expressed his own curiosity, saying, "We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know," hinting at a fresh face taking the lead.

Speculation is rife about who might step into the protagonist role. An intriguing clue comes from a teaser for *The Witcher 4* shown in an Unreal Engine 5 presentation two years ago, where a Cat medallion, associated with the School of the Cat, was spotted. Although the School of the Cat was nearly wiped out by Nilfgaardian forces, hints in *Gwent: The Witcher Card Game* suggest that survivors might still be roaming the world, seeking vengeance.

Another popular theory centers around Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter. In the Witcher books, she obtained a Cat medallion after defeating a powerful enemy. This connection is subtly reinforced in *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt*, where Ciri's health bar is accompanied by a Cat medallion instead of the usual Wolf medallion when players control her.

While some fans envision Ciri taking the lead with Geralt in a mentor-like role, similar to Vesemir, others speculate that his involvement might be more limited, perhaps appearing in flashbacks or cameos.

The Witcher 4’s Development

In an interview with Italian news outlet Lega Nerd, *The Witcher 4* game director Sebastian Kalemba stressed the game's aim to attract new players while keeping long-time fans engaged with Geralt's ongoing story. Despite the excitement, fans might have to wait a few years for the next installment.

Codenamed Polaris, *The Witcher 4* officially began development in 2023. By October of that year, nearly half of CD Projekt Red’s development team, about 330 developers, were dedicated to the project following the release of *Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty*. The team has since expanded 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 allocated, CEO Adam Kiciński indicated in October 2022 that the game's release could be at least three years away, given the ambitious scope and the development of new technology within Unreal Engine 5.

For predictions on when *The Witcher 4* might release, check out the article below!