CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has announced that The Witcher 4 will be the most ambitious and immersive entry in the series yet, with Ciri taking center stage as the new Witcher. This decision, according to CDPR, was planned from the outset. Continue reading to learn more about Ciri's evolution and Geralt's well-deserved retirement.
A New Generation of Witchers
Ciri's Inevitable Path
Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga and game director Sebastian Kalemba confirmed The Witcher 4's status as the most ambitious open-world Witcher game ever created, building upon the successes of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The cinematic trailer showcased Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, inheriting his mantle. Story director Tomasz Marchewka explained that Ciri's role was always intended, highlighting her complex character and rich narrative potential.
While fans adore Ciri's overpowered abilities in previous games, Mitręga hints at a shift. The trailer suggests a slight reduction in her Witcher prowess, with Mitręga teasing a significant event between games that accounts for this change. Kalemba assures players that the game will provide clear answers within its narrative. Despite this adjustment, Ciri retains Geralt's influence, showcasing enhanced speed and agility while still bearing the hallmarks of his training, as Mitręga points out.
Geralt's Well-Earned Rest
With Ciri's ascension, Geralt's time in the spotlight concludes. The aging Witcher, already 61 in The Witcher 3 according to author Andrzej Sapkowski, is well into his sixties, if not seventies, by The Witcher 4. Sapkowski's Rozdroże kruków confirms Geralt's birth year as 1211. While Witcher lifespan can reach 100 years, Geralt's advanced age surprised some fans who previously underestimated his years. This sets the stage for a new chapter, focusing on Ciri's journey and the next generation of Witchers.
