Just last week, audiences were treated to the cinematic unveiling of The Witcher IV, the newest addition to CD Projekt Red’s beloved dark fantasy saga. In a fresh twist, the spotlight shifts from Geralt to his adoptive daughter, Ciri, who steps up as the lead witcher in this exciting continuation of the franchise.
Following the big reveal, I had the chance to sit down with some of the key players at CD Projekt Red. We delved into the details of this captivating trailer and discussed how the team plans to embrace Ciri’s new role while staying true to the series’ roots—and the pivotal player choices that have shaped it—while also steering the story into an exciting new era.
### Introducing Ciri in a New Light
The trailer opens with the remote village of Stromford, nestled deep in the northern reaches of The Continent. Here, we meet Mioni, a young woman chosen as a sacrifice to combat a local monster. Just as things look grim, Ciri appears on the scene—she’s older and tougher, wielding the recognizable steel and silver swords.
According to Philipp Weber, the Narrative Director on The Witcher IV, this saga unfolds “a few years” after the conclusion of The Witcher 3. While specific details about Ciri’s journey to this point remain under wraps, it’s clear she has undergone the Trial of the Grasses, as evidenced by her mutated eyes, solidifying her status as a full-fledged witcher.
Throughout The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt—and not forgetting Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher novels—Ciri’s character has been gradually developed. By the end of her previous adventures, she emerges not as Geralt’s mere protégée but as her own person ready for her own odyssey.
Ciri’s path from the end of The Witcher 3 could have branched in multiple directions, much of it dependent on the choices players made. CD Projekt Red is keeping a tight lid on specifics for now, but Weber assures us that The Witcher IV will respect these various endings, highlighting personal choice as a key theme again.
### Contrasting Ciri and Geralt
CD Projekt Red makes it clear that there’s a distinct difference between an established witcher like Geralt and Ciri, who will often respond with fierce passion driven by her personal convictions.
“Geralt established a code for himself through countless experiences,” Weber explains, “while with Ciri, we’re exploring what it looks like when someone is still discovering their own set of principles through those events.”
In the trailer, we see Ciri rushing into the forest, encouraging Mioni to escape back to the village. However, the villagers aren’t exactly thrilled to see a witcher, even though Ciri’s intentions are noble.
“She’s incredibly passionate and deeply involved in this story,” says Game Director Sebastian Kalemba. “Her determination to help the other girl is unwavering.”
Tragically, despite Ciri’s best intentions and a taxing fight with a new monster known as a Bauk, Mioni meets her end all too soon. This highlights the harshness of The Witcher IV’s world, where Ciri’s actions (and by extension, yours) might not always be greeted kindly.
“Ciri’s character won’t just accept fate as it is; she’s inclined to resist when necessary,” Weber notes. “In this trailer, we wanted to draw some parallels, suggesting that Mioni’s situation could have been Ciri’s, had she not fought back against her own fate.”
The complexity in Ciri’s story, enriched by her past, positions her perfectly for a mature narrative exploring choices and their repercussions in The Witcher’s famously dark and gritty universe.
“Ciri isn’t flawless. She carries her own shadow, has been abandoned, and made plenty of poor choices,” Weber shares. “Yet, her strengths are undeniable. It’s this balance that makes her such a compelling character for us. True characters need to be multifaceted, and sometimes that does mean they need to have flaws.”
Rest assured, though, Geralt’s influence on Ciri isn’t sidelined; instead, The Witcher IV keeps the focus on choice and consequence, meaning Ciri will sometimes ponder decisions that might echo her mentor’s philosophy.
“Geralt’s legacy is a part of her,” Weber points out. “Some choices will mirror what Geralt might do.”
Kalemba adds, “Geralt also learned from Ciri during their time together in The Witcher 3, and those insights will surface in her decisions.”
### Anticipating the Future
Fans will be pleased to know that The Witcher IV is not only a seamless progression of this beloved series but is also brimming with subtle references and rich lore as Ciri takes command. While Geralt’s return has been confirmed, his role in the adventure is still a closely guarded secret.
But more than just a continuation, this next entry marks a fresh start for the franchise. With almost a decade passed and countless lessons learned since the release of The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red acknowledges that a new wave of gamers is eager to dive into this realm for the first time.
“This is Ciri’s story [as a lead character], and we see it as a fantastic entry point for newcomers,” Kalemba affirms. “Players can look forward to new regions and landscapes to explore while still enjoying the dark, engaging storytelling that fans have always cherished.”
