Geralt Excluded from Witcher 4, VA Confirms

Exciting news for fans of the legendary monster hunter—Geralt of Rivia is set to return in *The Witcher 4*, as confirmed by his long-time voice actor, Doug Cockle. However, this time around, Geralt won’t be taking center stage. Instead, the focus will shift to new characters, marking a bold new direction for the beloved RPG series.

Geralt’s Role in The Witcher 4

In a recent interview with Fall Damage, Doug Cockle revealed that while Geralt will indeed appear in *The Witcher 4*, his role will be more supportive than central. "Witcher 4 has been announced. I can’t say much about it. We know Geralt will be part of the game," Cockle shared. "But we just don’t know how much. And the game won’t focus on Geralt—it’s not about him this time."

This marks a significant departure from previous entries in the series, where Geralt was always the protagonist. While details remain scarce, Cockle expressed genuine excitement about discovering the new direction himself, hinting at an intriguing narrative shift.

Who Will Be the New Protagonist?

The identity of the main character in *The Witcher 4* remains under wraps, fueling speculation among fans. One tantalizing clue emerged from the game’s initial Unreal Engine 5 tech demo—a Cat medallion buried in the snow. Though the School of the Cat was nearly wiped out, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game’s lore suggests that some survivors may still be out there, seeking vengeance and driven by loss.

Another strong contender for the lead role is Ciri, Geralt’s adopted daughter. Known for her powerful presence in both the books and *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt*, she already shares a symbolic connection with the Cat medallion. Some gameplay elements in *The Witcher 3* even hint at her potential starring role.

Speculation continues to swirl: Will Geralt serve as a mentor figure like Vesemir? Or will his appearances be limited to flashbacks and cameos? Time—and CD Projekt Red—will tell.

Development of The Witcher 4

In an interview with Lega Nerd, *The Witcher 4*’s game director Sebastian Kalemba explained that the upcoming installment aims to welcome new players while still honoring the legacy of Geralt’s story. This balancing act requires careful storytelling and world-building, contributing to the game’s extended development timeline.

Codenamed *Polaris*, the game officially entered development in 2023. By late 2023, over 330 developers were assigned to the project, growing to more than 400 by early 2024—making it CD Projekt Red’s largest production effort to date.

Despite this massive investment, fans should prepare for a wait. CEO Adam Kiciński previously stated that the game wouldn't launch before 2026 due to its ambitious scope and the complexity involved in building a next-generation RPG using Unreal Engine 5.