The Witcher saga continues! CD Projekt Red unveiled The Witcher 4 at The Game Awards 2024, confirming Ciri as the lead, a move many fans anticipated after Geralt’s story concluded in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This marks the first mainline Witcher game since 2015 and the studio’s first major release since Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020.
From Niche to Phenomenon: The Witcher’s Journey
The Witcher’s video game debut in 2007 was a relatively quiet affair. The 2011 sequel, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, expanded the fanbase but remained short of mainstream recognition. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015 changed everything. Earning widespread critical acclaim and achieving massive commercial success, The Witcher 3 cemented its place as a modern classic, further enhanced by its expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
Expanding the Universe: Spin-offs and Adaptations
The Witcher universe has grown beyond the core trilogy. Numerous spin-offs include The Witcher Adventure Game (2014), The Witcher Battle Arena (2015), Gwent: The Witcher Card Game (2018), Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (2018), The Witcher: Monster Slayer (2021), and Roach Race (2022).
Beyond The Witcher, CD Projekt Red achieved further recognition with Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020 and its Phantom Liberty expansion in 2023. Both Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher franchises have extended their reach through multimedia adaptations, notably the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime (2022) and Netflix’s ongoing The Witcher series.
A New Chapter Begins
The Witcher 4 promises a new era for the beloved franchise. While details remain scarce, Ciri’s confirmed role as the protagonist opens up exciting possibilities for storytelling and gameplay. The gaming world eagerly awaits further updates from CD Projekt Red.
