Witcher 4: Details & Everything We Know So Far

The release of the official Witcher 4 trailer and new interviews with the CDPR team have given us many new details about the upcoming game. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways, including details about Ciri, the new game’s setting, a potential release date, and more:

Witcher 4 Release Date? 2027 At the Earliest

CDPR officially wrapped up pre-production on The Witcher 4 in November 2024. According to CDPR dev Miles Tost, the game’s foundation is complete, but it’s still in the early stages of full development. 

Using a construction metaphor, Tost described it as having laid the “foundation” of the house; now, it’s time to build the structure. Based on this timeline, a release before 2027 seems unlikely, especially following the fiasco of the rushed Cyberpunk 2077 release. 

Details on Ciri: Witcher Mutations & More

The biggest reveal is that Ciri will be the protagonist of Witcher 4. Ciri is described as angrier, more pragmatic, and unapologetically direct, a significant departure from Geralt’s neutral and stoic demeanor.

She doesn’t shy away from making tough decisions, even if they’re morally ambiguous—such as using people as bait to lure out monsters. This new perspective promises to add a fresh dynamic to the series, in addition to the fact that we’re following a Witcher who’s just starting her path, versus a veteran like Geralt. 

Ciri will also have new abilities, including the chain weapon we see in the trailer. Most importantly, she will have new magical skills, making her much more adept at magic than Geralt. 

Another important detail confirmed by CDPR is that Ciri has undergone the Trial of the Grasses after the events of Witcher 3. This transformative process enhanced her physical abilities, making her a full-fledged mutant like Geralt. 

CDPR also stated that Ciri will not be overpowered in Witcher 4 (like she is by the end of Witcher 3) because “something totally happened in between…” The most likely explanation is that:

1. Defeating the White Frost drained her powers
2. The Trial of the Grasses somehow interfered with her powers

The Lynx School Medallion

Ciri is seen wearing the Lynx Witcher school medallion in the trailer — the same medallion that was used in the original 2022 teaser image for Witcher 4. This is a brand new Witcher school not previously mentioned in the games or books.

My guess is that Ciri founded this new school, but it’s also possible that she joined it. The idea of a lynx makes me think of a combination of a wolf and a cat, which would certainly make sense given Ciri’s history (Geralt being a Wolf, and Ciri carrying a cat medallion in the books and Witcher 3).

Witcher 3 Endings Don’t Contradict Witcher 4

Another important detail confirmed by CDPR is that the three possible major outcomes for Ciri in Witcher 3 don’t contradict the new game. Instead, they’ll incorporate narrative flexibility to weave the three endings into the new game’s story:

1. Ciri’s Disappearance: In one outcome, Ciri is presumed dead after vanishing during her fight with the White Frost. The ambiguity of her fate leaves room for her to return in The Witcher 4.
2. Ciri Becomes Empress: Another ending sees Ciri accepting her biological father Emperor Emhyr’s mantle, becoming the Empress of Nilfgaard. Hints from her epilogue at Corvo Bianco suggest she may later reconsider this path.
3. Ciri the Witcher: The final ending appears to flow most naturally into The Witcher 4. Here, Ciri fully embraces her witcher heritage, receiving her twin steel and silver swords from Geralt, who serves as her mentor.

CD Projekt RED lore designer Cian Maher reassured fans that these divergent endings won’t create contradictions between The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4:

The one complication is probably the idea that there is an ending in which Ciri can die in The Witcher 3…Thankfully that ending, which is one of three different fates for Ciri and the outcome of several hidden choices made throughout the game, isn’t quite as clear cut as it may seem.

There are hints in that ending that highlight the fact that she probably does not die. And so regardless of the events you personally witnessed at the end of your own Witcher 3 playthrough, the sequel will not “break any canon or even offend any canon.

Perhaps we’ll get something similar to what we had with the start of Witcher 3 where you can choose the decisions you made in the previous game or import a save. That way you can decide which particular ending you had in Witcher 3 and slightly alter the storyline of Witcher 4.

When & Where Does The Witcher 4 Take Place?

Speaking with PC Gamer, Game Director Sebastian Kalemba confirmed that the game’s events occur “a few years” after Witcher 3.

Addressing how the Continent has evolved since the last installment, Kalemba explained: “It’s a few years later, after Wild Hunt. I can’t delve too much into external stakes, but the world is shifting. At its core, though, this is about Ciri proving herself on the Path to becoming a witcher.” His mention of “external stakes” likely alludes to the larger geopolitical or mystical elements at play, but further details remain under wraps.

Witcher 4 Location

As for where Witcher 4 takes place, we did learn a few interesting new details. Most importantly, info from CDPR devs suggests that Witcher 4 takes place in the “Far North.” This most likely means Kovir and Poviss, the two northmost locations on the Witcher world map.

These two regions are frequently mentioned in the Witcher books, so it would be awesome for those who only played the games to finally see them.

It’s also possible that the game is set beyond the Dragon Mountains just north of Kovir and Poviss. The books also mention this region, particularly as being home to exceptional craftsmen, dragons, and perhaps even mammoths.

CDPR Executive Producer Gosia Mitręga confirmed in the same PC Gamer interview that the village shown in the trailer, Stromford, is situated in the Far North. Stromford is described as a small, isolated village with a tribal and superstitious vibe. This Far North setting not only expands the game’s map but also allows for fresh storytelling opportunities.

Geralt Will Make an Appearance

Originally there was some confusion about whether Geralt would appear in Witcher 4. His voice actor Doug Cockle said he would, but then retracted his comments after being “slapped” by CDPR.

But now, CDPR has officially confirmed that Geralt will indeed appear in the game and that it is his voice we hear at the end of the Game Awards trailer saying “Time for a new saga. See you on the path.”

So it looks like CDPR was simply unhappy with Cockle spoiling the reveal they wanted to save for the 2024 Game Awards.

The Trailer: A Vision, Not a Reality

The teaser trailer released by CDPR is a promise of the vision they aim to achieve, but fans shouldn’t assume it reflects the final product. While it was created in-engine, the use of Unreal Engine technology means the trailer’s visuals might not fully align with actual gameplay. It’s more of a stylistic guide than a concrete gameplay showcase.

Staying True to Witcher’s Dark World

CDPR intends to stay true to the gritty, morally grey atmosphere fans love about The Witcher series. The developers emphasize that the world of The Witcher reflects harsh realities such as exploitation, racism, and abuse. This isn’t a cozy escapist fantasy but a mirror to our own struggles. Expect decisions that challenge players with no clear “good” or “evil” outcomes.

New Monsters: The Bauk

The mysterious creature featured in the trailer is called a “Bauk,” rooted in Serbian mythology. While specific details about the Bauk’s role in the game remain under wraps, the developers hinted that the trailer’s events could become part of a quest where players can make significant decisions. 

The Baulk is said to be able to smell your fear and play with your traumas, as we see in the trailer. 

The First Chapter of a New Trilogy

While The Witcher 4 is the beginning of a new trilogy, CDPR is focused on ensuring this game can stand on its own. However, seeds will be planted for storylines that will carry over into future installments, promising a larger overarching narrative for the trilogy. 

I’m guessing this means the narrative of the Ciri trilogy will be much more consistent than the original Geralt trilogy, which struggled with stories that don’t connect and mesh together well.

When Will We See Gameplay?

CDPR doesn’t plan to reveal gameplay footage until at least the end of 2025. This cautious approach aligns with their goal of setting realistic expectations.