The Witcher IV is now a reality, and we got to see its first trailer during The Game Awards 2024. One detail from the teaser caught the attention of all fans of the franchise: the new game will star Ciri, not Geralt of Rivia, the main character of the original trilogy.
This sparked a wave of reactions, with some players excited about the idea while others are upset. In response, CD Projekt RED decided to break their silence and explain why Ciri will be the new protagonist of the saga.
Additionally, the studio was asked if Geralt of Rivia would appear in The Witcher IV or if he would be entirely left out of the upcoming titles, as many players are eager to see him in action again.
Why is Ciri the protagonist of The Witcher IV?
Małgorzata Mitręga, executive producer at CD Projekt RED, explained the decision to change the protagonist for the new The Witcher trilogy. In an interview with IGN, she stated that choosing Ciri as the main character felt very organic and logical.
Mitręga emphasized that Ciri has always been a pivotal character in Andrzej Sapkowski’s books and the games, making her naturally destined to take on a leading role and step into Geralt of Rivia’s shoes.
“She's an amazing, layered character. And of course, as a protagonist we said goodbye to Geralt previously. So this is a continuation. I guess for all of us it’s like she was meant to be. That was always her.”
On the other hand, Sebastian Kalemba, the game’s director, believes that Ciri will open up new possibilities for the franchise. Being younger than Geralt, she offers a fresh combat style and a different approach to tackling the challenges ahead.
“She's about to actually form her own codex, but on her own terms. The way she actually deals with the monsters, the way she deals with quests, the adventures, it's her own unique way. And also I think that she gives more room to be able to tell different stories here and there.”
Both creatives acknowledge that the decision might cause controversy and dissatisfaction among some fans. However, they addressed the criticisms following the first trailer. They clarified that the choice of Ciri as the protagonist was not random but the result of years of discussions about the saga’s future.
“There was an intention behind this choice. It was far from roulette. It wasn't random. I remember we had discussions nine years ago, we were talking about who's next? The very, very instant answer was Ciri. There are many reasons behind that. We've already mentioned a few. But she really deserves a stage and we want players to really experience her story because she has so much to tell, so much to prove.”
Will Geralt of Rivia appear in The Witcher IV?
While Ciri takes the lead, that doesn’t mean Geralt of Rivia won’t appear in The Witcher IV. However, the iconic character did not feature directly in the first trailer, leaving his presence in the game uncertain.
CD Projekt RED confirmed to IGN that the mighty witcher will indeed appear in the new installment, ensuring that players won’t miss Geralt. In fact, Doug Cockle, Geralt’s voice actor, can be heard in the first trailer of The Witcher IV, despite the White Wolf not making a visual appearance.
“Geralt will appear in the game, but we don’t want to spoil his role precisely. You’ll have to wait to learn more for now.”
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