At the recent 2024 Video Game Awards, CD Projekt RED unveiled the highly anticipated first trailer for The Witcher 4. This captivating preview showcased Ciri as the game’s new protagonist, bringing several intriguing changes to her character. Distinctively, Ciri appears to have undergone the Trial of the Grasses, evidenced by her striking cat-like eyes, a hallmark of mutated witchers. Moreover, she seems older than her portrayal in The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, suggesting a significant evolution in her character.
Though Ciri may seem roughly a decade older, the implications of the Trial of the Grasses introduce complexities regarding her age and the timeline within The Witcher 4. This alteration might suggest that more years have elapsed since the events of The Witcher 3, especially considering Ciri’s unique circumstances involving magic and her Elder Blood, all of which might impact her physical aging. Insights from CD Projekt RED regarding their choice of Ciri as the lead character indicate that many years may have passed since players last encountered her.
Speculations on the Timeline: Years Since The Witcher 3
In The Witcher 3, Ciri was in her early twenties, navigating her journey amidst the danger posed by the Wild Hunt. The trailer for The Witcher 4 illustrates that she has indeed grown up, though she does not appear dramatically older. It is essential to consider the influence of the Trial of the Grasses, her mastery of magic, and her Elder Blood when evaluating this change. Notably, the conclusion of one of the endings in The Witcher 3, where Ciri chooses the Path, aligns with the storyline showcased in the new trailer.
The Impact of the Trial of the Grasses on Ciri’s Timeline
If Ciri has indeed completed the Trial of the Grasses, estimating her age in The Witcher 4 becomes more complex. Witchers typically enjoy longer lifespans, living without significant aging until actively harmed. A revealing comment from Sebastian Kalemba, the game director for The Witcher 4, noted that “She [Ciri] is about to actually form her own codex, but on her own terms,” implying that Ciri’s transformation may be relatively contemporary within the game’s narrative.
Ciri’s Role as The Protagonist in The Witcher 4
A far more telling aspect of Ciri’s age is her experience as well as CD Projekt RED’s vision for her character. The development team has emphasized that one of the main reasons for placing Ciri in the lead role is her potential for rich storytelling moving forward. While it’s within the realm of possibility that she could be decades older than her previous appearance, it seems more likely that the developers want Ciri to be a character whose journey can evolve and be shaped by players, establishing a distinct contrast to Geralt’s character.
Rather than placing the story many years ahead, it appears Ciri may be in her late twenties to mid-thirties. This timeline allows for a believable accumulation of witcher experience without making her unrecognizable, maintaining familiarity for longtime fans of the series.