The Witcher 4 is poised to be the most immersive and ambitious installment in the acclaimed video game series, with Ciri stepping into the spotlight as the next Witcher, as confirmed by CD Projekt Red's executive producer. Dive deeper to explore Ciri's ascent and Geralt's well-earned retirement.

Most Immersive Witcher Title Yet

Ciri’s Destiny From The Very Beginning

CD Projekt Red (CDPR) is setting new heights with The Witcher 4, described by executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga as "the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date" in an interview with GamesRadar+. "We definitely want to raise the bar with every video game that we create. This is what we did with Cyberpunk 2077 after The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and we want to apply all of the lessons learned from both of these experiences and incorporate them into The Witcher 4," game director Sebastian Kalemba added.

The latest addition to the Witcher franchise will spotlight Ciri, Geralt of Rivia’s adopted daughter, who has seemingly taken up her father’s mantle as the esteemed Witcher, as showcased in the grand cinematic trailer unveiled at The Game Awards. This was CDPR's plan from the outset, according to story director Tomasz Marchewka, who stated, "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."

However, fans will notice a slight change in Ciri's abilities. At the end of The Witcher 3, Ciri was "totally overpowered," but the trailer suggests some of her Witcher senses may have dulled. Mitręga remained tight-lipped, only hinting that "something totally happened in-between." Kalemba reassured fans that the game will provide a clear explanation, stating, "We cannot tell you exactly how. But we can tell you just, like, believe us: that was one of the things, or first things, that we were solving, to make sure—the way we develop here, we do not leave anything without a clear answer."

Despite these changes, Ciri will still embody much of Geralt's essence. Mitręga noted, "She's faster, more agile—but you can still tell that she was raised by Geralt, right?"

Time For Geralt To Retire—No, Really

With Ciri taking on the role of the Witcher in the upcoming game, it's time for Geralt of Rivia to enjoy a peaceful retirement. At over fifty years old, he deserves it. According to the novel series’ author, Andrzej Sapkowski, Geralt was 61 years old during The Witcher 3.

In Sapkowski’s latest book, Rozdroże kruków (Raven’s Crossing or Crossing of the Ravens in English), it's revealed that Geralt was born in 1211. This places him at 59 years old during the events of the first Witcher game, 61 during The Witcher 3, and 64 by the end of The Witcher 3’s DLC, Blood and Wine. By the time The Witcher 4 takes place, Geralt would likely be in his seventies or nearing eighty, depending on the timeskip.

While Witchers can live up to a hundred years according to the lore, many fans were surprised to learn Geralt's true age, having previously believed him to be around 90 years old.