The Witcher IV Faces Its Biggest Challenge: Making Ciri As Iconic As Geralt, Says CDPR's Cinematic Animation Director

As anticipation builds for The Witcher IV, CD Projekt Red is already confronting one of its most significant creative hurdles—convincing players that Ciri is just as important a protagonist as Geralt of Rivia, if not more so. In a recent interview with Revenant, David Cordero, Cinematic Animation Director for The Witcher IV and Cyberpunk 2077, provided insight into the narrative philosophy guiding the new installment.

Cordero openly acknowledged that following in the footsteps of Geralt, one of the most beloved RPG characters in modern gaming, will be no easy task. "The hardest part will be making players believe that Ciri is equally central to the story,” he stated. “Geralt is iconic and charismatic, having appeared across multiple titles, whereas Ciri has only had a supporting role in The Witcher 3.” The challenge, then, lies in shifting the emotional and narrative weight from an established figure to one still emerging as a mainstay lead.

To rise to the occasion, CDPR is leveraging experience gained from the development of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. The studio has formed a dedicated lore department, which Cordero described as instrumental in ensuring narrative authenticity and consistency. Rather than simply justifying why Ciri should be considered a "proper witcher," the team plans to show players what makes her unique through storytelling and lived experiences within the game world. The department will focus on delivering lore-rich, immersive scenarios where every detail—character interactions, world design, ambient storytelling—contributes to making Ciri's journey feel integral and meaningful.

Cordero also noted that Cyberpunk 2077 will serve as a narrative benchmark for The Witcher IV. Despite its rocky launch, CDPR’s sci-fi RPG has earned acclaim for its storytelling depth, branching narrative design, and emotional character arcs. “In many ways, Cyberpunk has surpassed The Witcher 3 in its narrative execution,” said Cordero, referencing how lessons learned from that project are shaping their approach to the new fantasy epic.

The Witcher fanbase, long invested in Andrzej Sapkowski’s literary canon, already understands Ciri's importance from the books—where she stands as a central figure intertwined with Geralt and Yennefer. However, the gaming audience may require a more deliberate approach to embrace Ciri as the narrative anchor of a new generation. CDPR’s task is to translate that literary weight into emotional resonance, gameplay agency, and narrative presence, with the same balance that made the original trilogy so compelling.

The Witcher IV is still in early development and is not expected to release until 2027. But the studio’s proactive communication and clear creative direction are already shaping expectations for what could be another milestone RPG.

Are you ready for Ciri to take the lead in The Witcher IV? What would make her arc feel as impactful as Geralt’s? Share your thoughts below!