The Witcher The Witcher IV - The Ciri Saga Begins

[PorkyThePaladin]

I think them choosing Ciri is a monumental mistake:

1. Vast majority of people who play action RPGs are male. Some dudes are ok with playing chicks, but I think for a lot of us, it kills the immersion. So that alone will severely hurt their sales and interest in the game.
2. For the men who do like playing as chicks, they usually do it because they want to stare at tits and ass, and W4 Ciri looks to be majorly downgraded in that regard. So even among these weirdos, the sales will suffer.
3. Geralt was a cool character in games/books/cable series because he was written as this jaded, seen-the-world, cynical sob, who is kinda nice at heart, but has very little faith in the world. He was also limited in important ways (just a mutated human, killed in the lore, weak to magic, etc). Now comes Ciri, the MarySue, with all kinds of powers. She was one of the least interesting characters in the lore, more of an object for other characters than a subject.
4. Her becoming a witcher is lore-breaking. Which is important, because Witcher games weren't so much about great gameplay, a huge part of their success came from the atmosphere and lore and writing, so once you start messing with it...

Anyways, we will see how it plays out, but I wouldn't be shocked if W4 sales end up being very disappointing compared to the expectations.

 

[thesecret1]

I wouldn't be shocked if W4 sales end up being very disappointing compared to the expectations.

Nah, they'll be large. Many people won't even know they're playing as Ciri, they'll just see "Witcher 4" and press BUY. Even those who do will think "Well, if anyone can pull this off, then it's gotta be CDPR!" Don't underestimate the power of the brand. Unless they fuck up the marketing somehow, they'll get their big sales, but markedly lower review scores (still positive, but on the lower end) and, more importantly, loads of people thinking "This was okay. But I'm not getting Witcher 5."

 

[PorkyThePaladin]

I dunno, I've seen some stats somewhere that action games and action RPGs sell a lot less with female protagonists. We will see I guess.

 

[Mark Richard]

I played the games because i liked Geralt, and his neutral cynical view of all the things that happen around him.

Geralt was a cool character in games/books/cable series because he was written as this jaded, seen-the-world, cynical sob, who is kinda nice at heart, but has very little faith in the world.

That's the key to The Witcher – it's a gateway into fantasy designed to make readers feel safe from judgement. In the 90s fantasy was strictly the domain of nerds, but The Witcher presented well-known fairytales (so you don't have to explain what you're reading by repeating embarrassing made-up fantasy terms that are incomprehensible to the average person) and then threw in a cynical self-aware protagonist to navigate them so the more self-conscious readers could just pretend to like it ironically. Even in the fantasy-accepting 2020s I'm not sure The Witcher 4 can maintain the broad appeal of the last game unless Ciri becomes that character.

 

[GentlemanCthulhu]

It'll take about a decade or so to get the brainrot out of the games industry now that the cat is out of the bag and the *agenda* has been definitively exposed. Play Chinese games in the meanwhile.

 

[Inec0rn]

I get the feeling chinese dev is about to explode, black myth wu-kong is already a good example and they give zero fucks about western woke pandering.

 

[samoilaaa]

It'll take about a decade or so to get the brainrot out of the games industry now that the cat is out of the bag and the *agenda* has been definitively exposed. Play Chinese games in the meanwhile.

its never going away , not in AAA games anyway

we might see some normal indies but thats it

I was playing zoria age of shattering and when i was at character creation i saw the option Male/Female , i couldnt believe , it was such a relief to see that there are normal games out there , thats how worse things have gotten

 

[HumanMech]

It'll take about a decade or so to get the brainrot out of the games industry now that the cat is out of the bag and the *agenda* has been definitively exposed. Play Chinese games in the meanwhile.

So... you couldn't tell that there is an *agenda* before somebody told you? No wonder BG3 almost got a GOTY here.

 

[GentlemanCthulhu]

So... you couldn't tell that there is an *agenda* before somebody told you? No wonder BG3 almost got a GOTY here.

What are you on about you braindead maggot?

 

[Gangrelrumbler]

4. Her becoming a witcher is lore-breaking. Which is important, because Witcher games weren't so much about great gameplay, a huge part of their success came from the atmosphere and lore and writing, so once you start messing with it...

It's worse than that. It's fucking lazy. Lazy, uncreative, tripe, banal-shit-boring. I'm fine with fantasy authors breaking lore sometimes, nobody can plan for everything and sometimes you need to pull something out of your ass to make a proper sequel to a story that didn't need one. I'm not fine with fantasy authors not being able to come-up with new interesting ideas. Ciri was a different character from Geralt, who played differently and had different, stronger powers. The most logical thing would be to make a game a bit more high-level and play around Ciri's reality bending abilities. Should we make an adventure that takes place in several different universes that the player needs to travel through, explore and study? Should we explore connunction of worlds and perhaps visit the world Drowners for example? Nooooo, apparently we need to do the same shit over and over again until CDPR follows in Ubisoft's footsteps.

 

[moon knight]

Her becoming a witcher is lore-breaking.

I's not.

 

[Nas92]

I think them choosing Ciri is a monumental mistake:

1. Vast majority of people who play action RPGs are male. Some dudes are ok with playing chicks, but I think for a lot of us, it kills the immersion. So that alone will severely hurt their sales and interest in the game.
2. For the men who do like playing as chicks, they usually do it because they want to stare at tits and ass, and W4 Ciri looks to be majorly downgraded in that regard. So even among these weirdos, the sales will suffer.
3. Geralt was a cool character in games/books/cable series because he was written as this jaded, seen-the-world, cynical sob, who is kinda nice at heart, but has very little faith in the world. He was also limited in important ways (just a mutated human, killed in the lore, weak to magic, etc). Now comes Ciri, the MarySue, with all kinds of powers. She was one of the least interesting characters in the lore, more of an object for other characters than a subject.
4. Her becoming a witcher is lore-breaking. Which is important, because Witcher games weren't so much about great gameplay, a huge part of their success came from the atmosphere and lore and writing, so once you start messing with it...

Anyways, we will see how it plays out, but I wouldn't be shocked if W4 sales end up being very disappointing compared to the expectations.

To add to this a huge appeal of The Witcher was people larping as a Chad, fucking whores left, right and center. No Western RPG dares deliver that experience, The Witcher games were unique (well, until KCD, that is) in that they allowed the main character to be a huge coozehound, even the major stronk womyn characters were only really there to be Geralt's cocksleeves. People would loudly deny all this, but it's true. How would all this work with Ciri? Will she be getting her back blown out by everyone she meets? Does she become a dyke? I don't think any of that would work nearly as well as Geralt fucking and trucking. Add to this what you said that she was deliberately made more plain looking means that The Witcher 4 will have to basically do without the sex angle and be judged on gameplay and story alone and boy are they gonna fall short with those alone.

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-w...nfirms-again-i-cant-wait-to-see-what-they-do/

Geralt will definitely appear in The Witcher 4, Doug Cockle confirms (again): 'I can't wait to see what they do'​

With The Witcher 4 reveal out of the bag, even the voice of Geralt is excited to hear more.

Doug Cockle, voice of Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red's trilogy of Witcher games, has returned to his role this week in Netflix's animated movie adaptation Sirens of the Deep. He told me that getting into Geralt's voice is like "slipping into a warm bath" but also like a muscle he's done a lot of training on. Sirens of the Deep may just be a warmup then, because he also confirmed that he's going to be involved with The Witcher 4.

"I can confirm that Geralt will appear in The Witcher 4," Cockle told me in an interview, reiterating what CDPR also confirmed after revealing its first trailer for the game back in December, at the end of which we heard Geralt's voice, implying would turn up somehow. "I just can't say exactly in what way or how much," Cockle added.

Now, Cockle's said this before. Back in August he said "Geralt will be part of the game," caveating the same thing: that he wasn't sure to what extent and in what capacity.

Apparently he got a bit of a finger-wagging from CDPR, he admitted later, for running his mouth before it had gotten to do its official reveal. We learned in November that The Witcher 4 is now in full production and then the first proper trailer for The Witcher 4 turned up at The Game Awards in December. Presumably he's gotten the thumbs up to be confirming things this time around, since he's not really saying anything that CDPR didn't already back in December.

"I'm thrilled," Cockle said of finding out that Ciri would become the new protagonist for the series. "I can't wait to see what they do with Witcher 4. I'm excited to go on Ciri's journey with her."

But don't go reading into that statement too literally and get Doug in trouble again. I imagine he probably means "go on Ciri's journey" in a metaphorical way. As far as we know for now.

 

[Tyrr]

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-w...nfirms-again-i-cant-wait-to-see-what-they-do/

Geralt will definitely appear in The Witcher 4, Doug Cockle confirms (again): 'I can't wait to see what they do'​

With The Witcher 4 reveal out of the bag, even the voice of Geralt is excited to hear more.

Doug Cockle, voice of Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red's trilogy of Witcher games, has returned to his role this week in Netflix's animated movie adaptation Sirens of the Deep. He told me that getting into Geralt's voice is like "slipping into a warm bath" but also like a muscle he's done a lot of training on. Sirens of the Deep may just be a warmup then, because he also confirmed that he's going to be involved with The Witcher 4.

"I can confirm that Geralt will appear in The Witcher 4," Cockle told me in an interview, reiterating what CDPR also confirmed after revealing its first trailer for the game back in December, at the end of which we heard Geralt's voice, implying would turn up somehow. "I just can't say exactly in what way or how much," Cockle added.

Now, Cockle's said this before. Back in August he said "Geralt will be part of the game," caveating the same thing: that he wasn't sure to what extent and in what capacity.

Apparently he got a bit of a finger-wagging from CDPR, he admitted later, for running his mouth before it had gotten to do its official reveal. We learned in November that The Witcher 4 is now in full production and then the first proper trailer for The Witcher 4 turned up at The Game Awards in December. Presumably he's gotten the thumbs up to be confirming things this time around, since he's not really saying anything that CDPR didn't already back in December.

"I'm thrilled," Cockle said of finding out that Ciri would become the new protagonist for the series. "I can't wait to see what they do with Witcher 4. I'm excited to go on Ciri's journey with her."

But don't go reading into that statement too literally and get Doug in trouble again. I imagine he probably means "go on Ciri's journey" in a metaphorical way. As far as we know for now.

Of course he will be in the game. So Ciri can show that she is better than him at everything.
It will be like Rey being better than Han Solo at handling the Millennium Falcon. Or like the dad character in every US sitcom in the last 30 years.

 

[thesecret1]

Of course he will be in the game. So Ciri can show that she is better than him at everything.

He'll be in so that Ciri can cuck him with Yen and Triss while he sits in the corner and masturbates. She'll also reveal that thanks to witcher potions, her dick's larger than his.

 

[Elttharion]

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-w...nfirms-again-i-cant-wait-to-see-what-they-do/

Geralt will definitely appear in The Witcher 4, Doug Cockle confirms (again): 'I can't wait to see what they do'​

With The Witcher 4 reveal out of the bag, even the voice of Geralt is excited to hear more.

Doug Cockle, voice of Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red's trilogy of Witcher games, has returned to his role this week in Netflix's animated movie adaptation Sirens of the Deep. He told me that getting into Geralt's voice is like "slipping into a warm bath" but also like a muscle he's done a lot of training on. Sirens of the Deep may just be a warmup then, because he also confirmed that he's going to be involved with The Witcher 4.

"I can confirm that Geralt will appear in The Witcher 4," Cockle told me in an interview, reiterating what CDPR also confirmed after revealing its first trailer for the game back in December, at the end of which we heard Geralt's voice, implying would turn up somehow. "I just can't say exactly in what way or how much," Cockle added.

Now, Cockle's said this before. Back in August he said "Geralt will be part of the game," caveating the same thing: that he wasn't sure to what extent and in what capacity.

Apparently he got a bit of a finger-wagging from CDPR, he admitted later, for running his mouth before it had gotten to do its official reveal. We learned in November that The Witcher 4 is now in full production and then the first proper trailer for The Witcher 4 turned up at The Game Awards in December. Presumably he's gotten the thumbs up to be confirming things this time around, since he's not really saying anything that CDPR didn't already back in December.

"I'm thrilled," Cockle said of finding out that Ciri would become the new protagonist for the series. "I can't wait to see what they do with Witcher 4. I'm excited to go on Ciri's journey with her."

But don't go reading into that statement too literally and get Doug in trouble again. I imagine he probably means "go on Ciri's journey" in a metaphorical way. As far as we know for now.

 

[Brzęczyszczykiewicz]

Her becoming a witcher is lore-breaking.

I's not.

It absolutely is. Don't get me wrong, she is retarded enough to go through it, but no one that has any idea how it worked would be willing to perform it on her.

 

[Bulo]

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-w...nfirms-again-i-cant-wait-to-see-what-they-do/

Geralt will definitely appear in The Witcher 4, Doug Cockle confirms (again): 'I can't wait to see what they do'​

With The Witcher 4 reveal out of the bag, even the voice of Geralt is excited to hear more.

Doug Cockle, voice of Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red's trilogy of Witcher games, has returned to his role this week in Netflix's animated movie adaptation Sirens of the Deep. He told me that getting into Geralt's voice is like "slipping into a warm bath" but also like a muscle he's done a lot of training on. Sirens of the Deep may just be a warmup then, because he also confirmed that he's going to be involved with The Witcher 4.

"I can confirm that Geralt will appear in The Witcher 4," Cockle told me in an interview, reiterating what CDPR also confirmed after revealing its first trailer for the game back in December, at the end of which we heard Geralt's voice, implying would turn up somehow. "I just can't say exactly in what way or how much," Cockle added.

Now, Cockle's said this before. Back in August he said "Geralt will be part of the game," caveating the same thing: that he wasn't sure to what extent and in what capacity.

Apparently he got a bit of a finger-wagging from CDPR, he admitted later, for running his mouth before it had gotten to do its official reveal. We learned in November that The Witcher 4 is now in full production and then the first proper trailer for The Witcher 4 turned up at The Game Awards in December. Presumably he's gotten the thumbs up to be confirming things this time around, since he's not really saying anything that CDPR didn't already back in December.

"I'm thrilled," Cockle said of finding out that Ciri would become the new protagonist for the series. "I can't wait to see what they do with Witcher 4. I'm excited to go on Ciri's journey with her."

But don't go reading into that statement too literally and get Doug in trouble again. I imagine he probably means "go on Ciri's journey" in a metaphorical way. As far as we know for now.

Of course he will be in the game. So Ciri can show that she is better than him at everything.
It will be like Rey being better than Han Solo at handling the Millennium Falcon. Or like the dad character in every US sitcom in the last 30 years.

It would be like Luke beating Anakin in a duel

 

[Tyrr]

It would be like Luke beating Anakin in a duel

It would be like Luke beating him in A New Hope.

 

[moon knight]

but no one that has any idea how it worked would be willing to perform it on her.

Where is the lore breaking part? You are talking about characters' motivations, without even knowing what characters will be involved.

 

[GentlemanCthulhu]

Where is the lore breaking part?

It is explicitly stated that women cannot become witchers. That's already lore-breaking, but ofc Ciri is special because reasons. I personally don't have a problem with game with Ciri as the main character (so long as she's got a nice ass), just don't make here a witcher.

 

[HumanTotemPole]

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-w...nfirms-again-i-cant-wait-to-see-what-they-do/

Geralt will definitely appear in The Witcher 4, Doug Cockle confirms (again): 'I can't wait to see what they do'​

With The Witcher 4 reveal out of the bag, even the voice of Geralt is excited to hear more.

Doug Cockle, voice of Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red's trilogy of Witcher games, has returned to his role this week in Netflix's animated movie adaptation Sirens of the Deep. He told me that getting into Geralt's voice is like "slipping into a warm bath" but also like a muscle he's done a lot of training on. Sirens of the Deep may just be a warmup then, because he also confirmed that he's going to be involved with The Witcher 4.

"I can confirm that Geralt will appear in The Witcher 4," Cockle told me in an interview, reiterating what CDPR also confirmed after revealing its first trailer for the game back in December, at the end of which we heard Geralt's voice, implying would turn up somehow. "I just can't say exactly in what way or how much," Cockle added.

Now, Cockle's said this before. Back in August he said "Geralt will be part of the game," caveating the same thing: that he wasn't sure to what extent and in what capacity.

Apparently he got a bit of a finger-wagging from CDPR, he admitted later, for running his mouth before it had gotten to do its official reveal. We learned in November that The Witcher 4 is now in full production and then the first proper trailer for The Witcher 4 turned up at The Game Awards in December. Presumably he's gotten the thumbs up to be confirming things this time around, since he's not really saying anything that CDPR didn't already back in December.

"I'm thrilled," Cockle said of finding out that Ciri would become the new protagonist for the series. "I can't wait to see what they do with Witcher 4. I'm excited to go on Ciri's journey with her."

But don't go reading into that statement too literally and get Doug in trouble again. I imagine he probably means "go on Ciri's journey" in a metaphorical way. As far as we know for now.

My preferred outcome would be for CDPR to let sleeping dogs lie and mention old characters only in passing, e.g. Ciri gets letters from Geralt or something similar but I suspect a more tangible presence is required for marketing purposes at the very least. Not optimistic.

Spitballing Geralt's fate here, several possible outcomes I foresee given that we're talking about a modern European studio:

• Finger-in-the-eye character death à la TLOU2 for maximum impact. Juice controversy. Writers claim bravery demonstrated, no fear of challenging fans. Possibly inciting event for Ciri starting out on the path.
• Dead already or still alive, retconned into abusive, controlling monster. Solidarity with other female characters affected by him. Extent of severity at writer's discretion, primary crime will be denying Ciri and/or other women's agency. Possibly killed by Ciri for same.
• Not dead but greatly diminished, incompetent character. Comic relief. Other expectations of character also subverted. Possibly didn't want Ciri to become a Witcher, tried to stop her, punished for his insolence.

Could even be a mix of all three. Key thing is the people writing this game likely still regard subversion of the established or conventional through the lens of personal experiences as the smartest and most interesting creative choice, even though that's what Sapkowski was doing 40 years ago. Long past being fresh, indeed it's positively rotten at this point.

 

[moon knight]

It is explicitly stated that women cannot become witchers.

No, it is never explicitly stated neither in the books, nor in the games. Why the fuck you lie?

 

[moon knight]

Finger-in-the-eye character death à la TLOU2 for maximum impact. Juice controversy. Writers claim bravery demonstrated, no fear of challenging fans. Possibly inciting event for Ciri starting out on the path.

Can't happen, Geralt is hinted to still be around in Season of Storm

 

[GentlemanCthulhu]

Finger-in-the-eye character death à la TLOU2 for maximum impact. Juice controversy. Writers claim bravery demonstrated, no fear of challenging fans. Possibly inciting event for Ciri starting out on the path.

Can't happen, Geralt is hinted to still be around in Season of Storm

It's literally stated that women don't survive the Trial of Grasses you brainless worm. Why do you exist?