The Witcher 4 is not going to feature Geralt as the protagonist. And despite concerns. CDPR has assured us they know what they’re doing with Ciri.

CD Projekt Red has officially revealed The Witcher 4 with Ciri taking the role of the game’s protagonist. The trailer that was shown at The Game Awards 2024 got a mixed reaction from fans as initially, people criticized her looks, then later the lore of her seemingly becoming a witcher in the trailer.

Ciri is badass in the new trailer. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

While the criticism of her looks is nonsensical, the questions of the lore have been answered by CDPR. During a recent interview, the dev team addressed concerns and reassured fans that their approach is deeply rooted in Andrzej Sapkowski’s books and the previous games.

The Witcher 4 devs know exactly what they’re doing with Ciri

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For those familiar with both Sapkowski’s novels and the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the decision to focus on Ciri might not come as a shock. In the books, Ciri is often referred to as a witcher, and her significance in the lore is undeniable. Philipp Weber, narrative director for the upcoming game explains this decision while talking to Eurogamer.

The answer is in the books. Andrzej Sapkowski called Ciri a witcher multiple times, and Geralt called Ciri a witcher in the books too. We’re not suddenly making up stuff just because we want to. We really want to take these things seriously.

He added that the transition to Ciri as the protagonist was a decision made with great respect for the established world, not a deviation or an attempt to rewrite its foundation. The reaction from fans has been mixed. While many are excited to see Ciri step into the spotlight, others have had reservations ranging from concerns over her looks to questioning the possibility of her being a witcher per the lore.

Weber acknowledged these reactions, describing them as “valid worries and responses” that arise from fans’ passion for the franchise. However, he stressed that the team at CDPR has been equally rigorous in scrutinizing their choices, ensuring that the story remains authentic.

It’s a new page for The Witcher franchise and we’re all for it

Geralt’s story has been fulfilled and he can rest now. | Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

Despite the focus on Ciri, Geralt fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the White Wolf isn’t entirely absent. While his exact role remains under wraps, CDPR has confirmed that Geralt will make an appearance in The Witcher 4. Whether he’ll be a playable character hasn’t been confirmed yet but it’s a nice touch.

Weber acknowledged that he and the studio could happily create games centered on Geralt indefinitely but felt it was time to explore new narratives. “It’s also just really exciting to see all the opportunities that Ciri brings us, both with her character, and also by just virtue of who she is, what we can do with her in terms of the gameplay as well,” he noted.

The universe of The Witcher is notoriously harsh, particularly for women. Ciri’s journey as a witcher is likely to touch on these themes, and the developers are prepared to address them thoughtfully. Weber says,

We make games for adults, and it also means that we tackle some difficult topics. We tackle them in interesting ways. We tackle them without giving easy answers, but often opening difficult questions that players have to answer.

The groundwork for Ciri’s role as a protagonist was laid in The Witcher 3, where she served as a secondary playable character. Her distinct combat style and part in the story hinted at her potential to take center stage in the future. Kalemba reflected on this evolution, saying,

We’ve started with the second protagonist already in The Wild Hunt. And so there was already a tease. And we really believe that we also have so much of a great story to tell with Ciri, and she deserves that.

What do you think of this new direction that CDPR is taking with Ciri in The Witcher 4? Let us know your thoughts!