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

Doug Cockle, the iconic voice behind Geralt in The Witcher series, has strongly defended CD Projekt's decision to center The Witcher 4 around Ciri, urging fans to embrace the change and explore the original books by Andrzej Sapkowski.

"That's just stupid," Cockle remarked about the backlash against featuring Ciri as the protagonist in the upcoming game. He dismissed claims of the move being "woke," emphasizing that Ciri's character has always been a significant part of The Witcher universe.

"It's not woke. 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," Cockle stated in a video interview with Fall Damage. Despite returning to voice Geralt, Cockle supports the shift in focus, arguing that Geralt's story concluded with "Blood and Wine."

"We can't just have Geralt for every single game for The Witcher ad nauseam, out through eternity," he explained, highlighting the need for fresh narratives within the franchise. Cockle celebrated Ciri's new role, dismissing critics with a playful raspberry.

Cockle also pointed out the rich potential in Ciri's storyline, which was hinted at but not fully explored in The Witcher 3 due to the game's focus on Geralt. He encouraged detractors to delve into Sapkowski's novels, suggesting that understanding the books would alleviate concerns about the game's direction.

"If you read the books, then you understand why CD Projekt went down this avenue," Cockle said, noting the unexplored depth in Ciri's narrative. He praised the books as both enjoyable and insightful, potentially changing fans' perspectives on the game's new direction.

The decision to feature Ciri aligns with Sapkowski's vision, who, despite distancing his work from the games, also saw Ciri as a key figure capable of carrying the story forward when Geralt's journey pauses.

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IGN's previous discussions with CD Projekt's franchise and lore designers further clarified how the established timeline accommodates Geralt's return while allowing Ciri to take center stage in The Witcher 4.