CD Projekt's The Witcher 4 Aims as Most Ambitious Title

CD Projekt Red’s executive producer has stated that the upcoming title, The Witcher 4, is poised to be the most immersive and ambitious entry in the acclaimed video game series. According to the developer, Ciri was always destined to step into the role of the next Witcher. Read on to discover more about Ciri's ascension and Geralt's well-earned retirement.

The Most Immersive Witcher Game to Date

Ciri's Preordained Path

CD Projekt Red is setting its sights incredibly high for The Witcher 4. Executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga described the project to GamesRadar+ as "the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game ever created." Game director Sebastian Kalemba expanded on this vision, stating, "We consistently aim to raise the bar with each new release. Following The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, we pushed boundaries with Cyberpunk 2077. Now, we intend to apply all the lessons learned from both experiences and channel them into The Witcher 4."

The newest chapter in the beloved Witcher saga will feature Ciri, Geralt of Rivia's adopted daughter, who appears to have taken up her father's mantle. Her new role as a Witcher was prominently showcased in the grand cinematic trailer unveiled at The Game Awards. This narrative direction, it turns out, was always part of CDPR's long-term plan. Story director Tomasz Marchewka revealed, "We knew from the very start that it had to be Ciri. She is an incredibly complex character with a story deeply worth exploring."

However, the Ciri that fans remember from The Witcher 3 might seem slightly different this time. By the end of the previous game, her abilities were "totally overpowered," yet the new trailer hints that some of her Witcher senses may have diminished. Mitręga remained coy on the specifics, only hinting that "something significant occurred in the intervening years." Kalemba offered reassurance to fans, promising that all questions will be addressed within the game itself. "We can't reveal exactly how, but trust us: establishing a clear and logical reason for this change was one of our primary developmental priorities. We don't leave such matters unresolved."

Despite these changes, Ciri's upbringing under Geralt’s tutelage will remain a core part of her identity. "She's faster and more agile," Mitręga noted, "but you can still unmistakably see Geralt’s influence in her."

A Well-Deserved Retirement for Geralt

With Ciri assuming the Witcher title, Geralt of Rivia can finally enjoy a peaceful retirement—a rest he truly deserves, especially considering he is well over fifty. In fact, according to the novel series' author, Andrzej Sapkowski, Geralt was already 61 years old during the events of The Witcher 3.

Sapkowski’s latest book, *Rozdroże kruków* (translated as *Raven’s Crossing*), confirms Geralt's birth year as 1211. This timeline places him at 59 during the first Witcher game, 61 in The Witcher 3, and 64 by the conclusion of the *Blood and Wine* expansion. Depending on the narrative time jump, Geralt would likely be in his seventies or approaching eighty by the time The Witcher 4 begins.

This advanced age is not extraordinary within Witcher lore, as Witchers can live up to a century—provided they avoid a premature death in battle. Nonetheless, many fans on social media expressed surprise upon learning Geralt's confirmed age, having previously speculated he was closer to ninety.