CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has announced The Witcher 4, promising the most immersive and ambitious entry yet in the acclaimed video game series. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga confirmed Ciri's central role, fulfilling a destiny hinted at from the franchise's inception. This article delves into Ciri's evolution and Geralt's well-deserved retirement.

A New Era of Immersion

Ciri Takes Center Stage

CDPR aims to redefine open-world RPGs with The Witcher 4, surpassing even the lauded Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. As Mitręga stated to GamesRadar+, the game will be "the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date." Director Sebastian Kalemba added that the team is building upon the lessons learned from both Cyberpunk 2077 and Witcher 3.

The cinematic trailer showcased Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, stepping into the Witcher mantle. Story director Tomasz Marchewka explained that Ciri's prominence was always part of the plan: "From the very beginning we knew it had to be Ciri - she's a very complex character, and there is so much to be told about her."

While fans loved Ciri's overpowered abilities in Witcher 3, Mitręga hinted at a shift in her skillset for The Witcher 4, stating that "something totally happened in-between." Kalemba reassured fans that the game will provide clear answers regarding this change. Despite the adjustments, Mitręga emphasized that Ciri retains Geralt's influence: "She's faster, more agile⁠—but you can still tell that she was raised by Geralt."

Geralt's Well-Earned Rest

With Ciri taking the lead, Geralt's time in the spotlight appears to be over. At over sixty in Witcher 3, according to author Andrzej Sapkowski's novels, Geralt is nearing the end of his adventuring days. Sapkowski's Rozdroże kruków reveals Geralt's birth year, placing him in his seventies or even eighties by The Witcher 4's timeline. While Witcher lore suggests a lifespan of up to one hundred years, Geralt's age has surprised many fans who previously underestimated his years.