Having Ciri as The Witcher 4 lead will help the game explore the Witcher world’s sexism, say CD Projekt

The announcement of The Witcher 4 with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s Ciri as protagonist has sparked some discussion. Some reactions include online backlash against having a woman as the lead character, especially in a series that has previously starred a man. Others are more thoughtfully considering if Ciri is a suitable protagonist for The Witcher series, given her unique abilities and background.

Game director Sebastian Kalemba and narrative director Philipp Weber addressed some of these comments in an interview with Eurogamer, shedding light on Ciri’s role at the beginning of the game.

Weber pointed out that Ciri being a witcher is supported by the original Witcher books, so arguments against her protagonism based on source material are invalid. While Geralt is beloved by many, CD Projekt is excited to explore more of Ciri’s character and gameplay potential.

When asked if CD Projekt considered introducing a custom protagonist for Witcher 4 like in Cyberpunk 2077, Weber emphasized the importance of character-driven storytelling in the Witcher games, with Ciri being set up as a second protagonist in The Witcher 3 and now continuing her story in The Witcher 4.

Weber highlighted Ciri’s appeal as a protagonist due to her early stage as a witcher, allowing players to shape her journey and character development in ways that Geralt’s established persona did not allow.

Ciri also brings a fresh perspective to The Witcher universe, challenging its portrayal of gender politics and sexism. Weber acknowledged that the game tackles difficult topics without providing easy answers, creating a complex narrative for players to engage with.

The Witcher 4, previously codenamed Polaris, is the first of several new Witcher experiences. More details can be found in the announcement post.