Doug Cockle’s Exciting Announcement
In a recent video for the fall damage series, Doug Cockle, the iconic voice of Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red’s games, announced some thrilling news for fans of The Witcher series. According to Cockle, the much-anticipated Witcher 4 has been announced. He mentioned, “I can’t say anything about it. What we know is that Geralt will be part of the game; we just don’t know how much, and the game won’t focus on Geralt. So it’s not about him this time. We don’t know who it’s about. I’m excited to find out. I want to know! I have not seen any script yet—I mean, I couldn’t tell you if I did. This is the thing, so I could be lying through my teeth. But I’m not. Or am I?”
Geralt’s Future in the Series
Back in 2013, CD Projekt Red explicitly stated that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt would mark the end of Geralt’s saga. Nonetheless, they did leave the possibility open for his return in future games. As John Mamais, the executive producer, told Polygon, “We might even include Geralt in later games potentially. We just need to talk about it and figure out what we’re going to do next.” This information aligns perfectly with Doug Cockle’s recent announcement, adding layers of anticipation about how Geralt will be integrated into the upcoming game.
Speculations on the New Protagonist
With Geralt not being the central focus, speculation is rife about who the next protagonist will be. Ciri seems to be a popular choice, though her inclusion would mean canonizing one of The Witcher 3’s endings. Alternatively, the series could introduce a custom character, similar to V from Cyberpunk 2077, providing players with a fresh experience. However, adopting a new character would be a marked departure from the franchise’s traditional preset characters with rich backstories. Another possible direction would be a character from the School of the Cat, hinted at by the reveal of a lynx-shaped medallion. This move would allow the introduction of an entirely new Witcher from this secretive school.
Awaiting Future Developments
Since Witcher 4 only entered pre-production in mid-2022 and if Cockle’s statements about the lack of a script are to be believed, it will be some time before fans receive concrete details. Regardless, the potential return of Geralt, even in a limited role, alongside the introduction of new characters and storylines, makes The Witcher 4 one of the most anticipated games in years. Stay tuned for more updates as we await further revelations from CD Projekt Red.