When CD PROJEKT RED unveiled The Witcher IV at The Game Awards 2024, they didn’t just offer fans their first look at the next chapter in the celebrated franchise. They threw in a curveball that instantly ignited conversation. Right next to the game’s reveal came the announcement that the iconic Geralt of Rivia would step aside in favor of his ward, Ciri, as the new protagonist. A bold move? Certainly. Risky? Perhaps. But it’s one that’s bound to keep fans talking until the game’s release.
A glimpse at next-gen possibilities
Ciri taking the spotlight marks a pivotal change for the series, likely to surprise longtime players accustomed to Geralt’s grizzled demeanor carrying the narrative. Yet, sticking to the original books and stories of The Witcher lore seemed to steer the developers toward this decision. While some have expressed a desire for a fully customizable protagonist, CD PROJEKT RED seems determined to retain the franchise’s grounding in its literary roots. According to Game Director Sebastian Kalemba, this saga explores what it truly means to become a witcher, with Ciri as the heart of the story.
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The Witcher IV is being built with Unreal Engine 5, a custom version tailored for this ambitious project. While the technical details remain scarce, fans can expect a significant visual leap forward, especially considering the cinematic trailer’s polish and grandeur. Created with assets and models from the game, the trailer only hints at the immersive experience the team at CD PROJEKT RED is envisioning. Their partnership with Platige Image, known for their stunning work on previous Witcher cinematics, further raises expectations for how the final world will come to life.
Ciri’s turn in the spotlight
This isn’t the first time players have stepped into Ciri’s boots. Short segments in The Witcher 3 hinted at her sheer power, and now, the upcoming game promises to explore her character and choices on a deeper scale. But make no mistake, centering the story around Ciri represents a significant gamble for the franchise. For every fan excited to take control of her witcher abilities, there’s likely another lamenting Geralt’s absence.
The narrative approach appears to reinforce the series’ dark and grounded storytelling. The themes center around Ciri’s outsider perspective and the complexities of monstrosity, both literal and metaphorical. Whether this shift will satisfy Geralt loyalists remains to be seen, but it undeniably signals a fresh new chapter for the saga.
A tough act to follow
The Witcher 3’s success casts a long shadow that will undoubtedly loom over this new installment. Hailed as a genre-defining title, the third game continues to be beloved for its expansive world and masterful storytelling years after its release. Expectations for The Witcher IV, then, couldn’t be higher. Can CD PROJEKT RED rise to the challenge and redefine open-world RPGs again? The bar has certainly been set, and fans will be watching closely. A release date has not yet been communicated.
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Unveiled through a nearly six-minute cinematic trailer developed in Unreal Engine 5 and powered by NVIDIA’s unannounced GeForce RTX GPU, The Witcher IV gave fans a cinematic taste of what’s to come. Rather than dissect the trailer, we’ll leave that decision to you. Watch it below and decide for yourself. Is this the dawn of a worthy successor?
YouTube: The Witcher IV — Cinematic Reveal Trailer | The Game Awards 2024
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Photo credit: All images shown are owned by CD PROJEKT RED and have been provided via their press portal.
Source: We received this information from CD PROJEKT RED via email.
