Geralt Actor Criticizes 'Woke' Label for Ciri-Led Witcher 4

Doug Cockle, the iconic voice behind Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series, has strongly defended CD Projekt's decision to spotlight Ciri in the upcoming The Witcher 4. In a recent video by Fall Damage, Cockle addressed the backlash from a segment of the fanbase who criticized the game for supposedly going "woke" by featuring Ciri as the protagonist.

"That's just stupid," Cockle stated firmly about the criticism. He emphasized that Ciri's prominence in the new game is not about political correctness but rather a natural progression for the franchise. "There's nothing woke about it. [Ciri]'s a cool character from The Witcher, and they're gonna focus on that character, and that's awesome," he added, dismissing any notion that the choice was motivated by anything other than storytelling.

Cockle, who will reprise his role as Geralt in The Witcher 4, though not as the main character, argued that the series cannot solely revolve around Geralt indefinitely. "We can't just have Geralt for every single game for The Witcher ad nauseam, out through eternity," he explained. He pointed out that Geralt's journey was meant to conclude with The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine, suggesting it's time for other characters to take the spotlight.

Expressing his support for Ciri, Cockle said, "I celebrate Ciri. I celebrate her being the protagonist. So all you people who think it's woke... [blows raspberry]." He further urged fans to delve into the original novels by Andrzej Sapkowski to understand the rich narrative potential surrounding Ciri. "If you read the books, then you understand why CD Projekt went down this avenue," Cockle noted, highlighting that Ciri's story offers new avenues for exploration that were not fully tapped in The Witcher 3.

Cockle's comments reflect a broader appreciation for the expansive world Sapkowski created, which CD Projekt aims to continue exploring. The novels, which conclude with a definitive ending for the characters, set the stage for the video games to expand upon the universe, particularly through Ciri's adventures.

For those interested in visual elements of The Witcher 4, the Game Awards trailer provided a glimpse into the game's aesthetics:

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In discussions with IGN, CD Projekt's franchise and lore designers, Cian Maher and Marcin Batylda, elaborated on how Geralt's return fits within the established timeline, ensuring continuity and coherence in the evolving narrative of The Witcher universe.