Controversy in the video game space is not an uncommon thing. Just look at events within the last two years as proof of this on many fronts. However, there are times when “controversies” arise that are merely people lashing out because they “simply don’t like something” and wish to complain about it. We’ve seen this just this past week with the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal. Or, if you wish to go back just a little further, we saw this kind of “controversy” with the first official trailer for The Witcher 4, which saw Ciri take the role of Witcher, which “certain people” didn’t like.
However, one person who liked it and was completely fine with it was Doug Cockle, who was Geralt’s voice in the original games by CD Projekt Red. In a chat with IGN, he made it clear that this shift to Ciri as the protagonist is a natural thing that goes all the way back to the books that the games originated from:
“I’m really excited. I think it’s a really good move. I mean, I always thought that continuing the Saga, but shifting to Ciri would be a really, really interesting move for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because of things that happen in the books, which I don’t want to give away because people, I want people to go read. So yeah, I think it’s really exciting. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to see what they’ve done.”
That says a lot, and it also should be noted that Cockle will be in the game, as he had a line at the end of the reveal trailer, and CD Projekt Red confirmed he’ll be appearing in the game in some fashion. What that fashion is yet hasn’t been revealed by anyone. It’s one of the big secrets that The Witcher 4 is currently hiding, and that’s likely what has some of the “fanbase” stirred up.
These “fans” complained because Ciri was the main character in the game, which, to them, was “not right” because Geralt was still alive, and they didn’t like that they would be playing as a female protagonist. That should tell you quite a bit about what those “critics” are like.
Yet, as CD Projekt Red noted, the end of the third game was all about saying goodbye to Geralt, including him giving a new sword to Ciri for her next journey, which we’re now seeing come to life in the 4th entry.
