CD Projekt Red knew that making Ciri the main character of The Witcher 4 could be ‘controversial for some people’, but wants to prove with this decision that it can ‘do a lot of interesting things’
- The Witcher 4’s narrative director says he knew the decision to make Ciri the main character could be ‘controversial’
- Director Phillipp Weber understands that some players may prefer Geralt, but hopes to prove Ciri’s role by delivering “a lot of interesting things.”
- Weber said making Ciri the next Witcher was “really the natural evolution of what we’ve been making for so long”
CD Projekt Red knew that, making Ciri the protagonist The Witcher 4 “May be controversial for some people,” but it was a decision the team made “a very long time ago.”
In a recent interview with VGCafter the unveiling of The Witcher 4 during The Game Awards, narrative director Phillipp Weber addressed fans’ reaction to Ciri starring as a playable protagonist.
“I think we were sure it could be controversial for some people, obviously in the previous three Witcher games Geralt was the main character and I think everyone really enjoyed playing as Geralt,” said Weber.
“I really enjoyed playing as Geralt, so I think we’re aware that if some people now think they’d still prefer to be Geralt, I think that’s a legitimate concern, so if this is true that concern comes from, that is valid.”
According to Weber, the decision to make Ciri the titular Witcher of the next big game was made “a very long time ago” and we hope to accomplish “a lot of interesting things” with Geralt of Rivia’s adopted daughter at the forefront.
The narrative director also pointed out that the Ciri was originally set up as the secondary main character of Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and in The witcher 3: Wild huntso for the development team “it was really the natural evolution of what we’ve been making for so long”.
It also allowed CDPR to end the Blood and wine expansion in which players can see Geralt retire.
Małgorzata Mitręga, executive producer of The Witcher 4, also commented on the positive response from fans, saying that the team is “overwhelmed by so many people who like the choice, are excited about it” and “understand where it comes from”.
“The community also actually does a small part of our work and explains itself why this is the right choice,” Mitręga said.
“Everyone has the right to have an opinion, and we believe it comes from the passion for our games and I think the best answer for that will be the game itself when the game is released.”