Just days ago, we witnessed the cinematic unveiling of The Witcher IV, the latest thrilling chapter in CD Projekt Red’s renowned dark fantasy saga. This time around, the spotlight shifts from Geralt to his adopted daughter Ciri, who steps up as our leading witcher.
Following this exciting revelation, I had the opportunity to chat with prominent figures at CD Projekt Red. We dove into the details of this new trailer and discussed how the team plans to integrate Ciri as the main character in this fresh Witcher saga. The aim is to honor the series’ rich history and the choices players have made, all while boldly venturing into uncharted territories.
### A New Ciri
The trailer sets the scene in the remote village of Stromford, nestled deep within the northern reaches of The Continent. Here, a young woman named Mioni is chosen as a sacrificial offering to placate a local beast. This is where Ciri makes her appearance—older, more formidable, and wielding those unmistakable steel and silver swords.
According to Philipp Weber, the Narrative Director for The Witcher IV, the game’s timeline picks up “a few years” after the conclusion of The Witcher 3. While the specifics of how Ciri ended up in this setting are still under wraps, it’s clear she has undergone the Trial of the Grasses, evidenced by her mutated eyes, marking her as a true witcher.
Throughout The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Andrzej Sapkowski’s original novels, Ciri has been crafted as a strong secondary protagonist. By the saga’s close, she’s recognized as a fully developed character, ready to embark on her own path.
Players will remember that Ciri’s journey could diverge in multiple ways depending on the ending they received in The Witcher 3. Although CD Projekt Red is keeping specific plot points under tight wraps, Weber reassures us that The Witcher IV will respect those varied conclusions, ensuring that player choice remains at the forefront of this new game.
### Different Paths: Geralt and Ciri
The team has made it clear that while Geralt is the experienced witcher with a preference for neutrality, Ciri frequently embodies a more passionate, personally-driven approach.
“Geralt has lived through extensive experiences, leading him to form a certain code for himself,” explains Weber. “In Ciri’s journey, we have a chance to showcase her developing her own code and finding her own way of facing challenges.”
This distinction is evident in the trailer, where Ciri ventures into the woods, urging Mioni to return to the village for safety. It’s intriguing how the villagers react with suspicion towards the witcher’s presence, even when Ciri’s intentions are noble.
“She’s intensely passionate and determined, very much invested in this story,” says Game Director Sebastian Kalemba. “She’s unyielding and deeply concerned for Mioni.”
Despite Ciri’s good intentions and a fierce battle with a new monster called a Bauk, Mioni still meets a tragic end, highlighting the harsh realities of The Witcher IV’s world. This illustrates how characters may misconstrue Ciri’s actions, despite her good intentions.
“Ciri is a fighter against predetermined fate,” Weber notes. “In this trailer, we draw a parallel between Mioni’s fate and what could have been Ciri’s own story, had she not fought back against destiny.”
Ciri’s complexity makes her an ideal focal point for a mature narrative about choices and consequences, set within The Witcher’s dark and often unsettling universe.
“Ciri is flawed, with a shadowy past and regrettable choices,” Weber admits. “But she also possesses remarkable strengths. It’s this balance that crafts her into a compelling character. We strive for authentic, character-driven stories, and real characters need real imperfections.”
Even with Ciri’s unique journey, her bond with Geralt remains significant. The Witcher IV emphasizes choices and consequences, implying Ciri frequently contemplates her own decisions alongside the paths Geralt might have taken.
“She’s Geralt’s daughter, after all, having absorbed many of his values,” observes Weber. “There will be instances where her choices align with Geralt’s way.”
Kalemba adds, “Geralt has also learned from Ciri in The Witcher 3, and those lessons will reflect in their decisions here.”
### Looking Ahead
The Witcher IV represents a logical evolution for the series. Long-time fans will discover deeper connections and lore as they explore this adventure with Ciri. Though Geralt will make a return, his role in this story remains a mystery.
Moreover, this marks a fresh start for the franchise. Nearly a decade has passed since The Witcher 3, and CD Projekt Red is fully aware that a new generation of gamers will be eager to explore this universe for the first time in The Witcher IV.
“With Ciri as a playable main character, it’s an origin story for newcomers too,” Kalemba shares. “We introduce new regions and landscapes to explore while maintaining the dark fantasy essence beloved by Witcher fans.”
