The Sword of Destiny
By
Jake Dekker
on
The morning following the official announcement of The Witcher IV at The Game Awards, GameSpot had the opportunity to sit down with game director Sebastian Kalemba and executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga. Although our conversation mainly revolved around the reveal trailer, we also delved into Gwent, in-game relationships, side quests, and game mechanics.
The trailer revealed that Ciri will be the main character of the new Witcher saga. In the video, she tracks a novel monster inspired by Serbian folklore known as the Bauk—a creature resembling a spider that invades the minds of its victims before attacking. During our discussion, we also learned a bit about the creation of this unique monster and what else players can look forward to in this highly anticipated sequel.
This interview has been summarized and edited for clarity.
GameSpot: How are you both feeling after the reveal?
Sebastian Kalemba: I feel relieved, incredibly excited, and happy. A little worn out, but that’s okay; to be completely honest, it’s because we just began production. However, I am very, very pleased with the response we’ve gotten so far, and we’ve been preparing for this moment all year. It’s been a truly exhilarating experience. I’ve been envisioning this moment for months, and now that it’s finally here, I’m ecstatic. The team is thrilled, and they truly deserve this moment. We no longer have to refer to this project as code-named Polaris. We can officially call it Witcher IV. We can say out loud that Ciri is the primary protagonist and that this is a new saga which will unfold in different regions of the world. These are the aspects we can finally unveil, allowing us to focus on production and kick off a new year with tremendous energy.
Regarding Ciri, was it a difficult decision to choose her as the protagonist, or was that predetermined from the beginning?
SK: It was a clear choice, and I remember we made this decision nine years ago. […] So, it wasn’t a tough decision. We chose to spotlight Ciri because she truly deserves it. She has been working her whole life, and this is her moment to define herself. This gives us greater opportunities to expand the franchise in different ways and allows new players to experience this world from a fresh perspective, but in a profoundly engaging manner.
Małgorzata Mitręga: This is a new protagonist—a new journey—and it marks the beginning of the saga, right? So, this is a fresh start [that honors] the essence of the previous installments.
Can you discuss the locations where the story takes place, or at least one of them?
MM: We can reveal some details from the trailer, right? It is set in a remote northern village. The trailer showcases what players can expect regarding the overall experience of the game. It should not be viewed as a one-on-one comparison since it was specifically designed to illustrate a coherent narrative as a preview of everything we wish to present to the world [at this time]. However, much of that comes directly from the game itself, and the assets are indeed from the game. So it’s a pre-rendered piece tailored to convey the essence, but it uses the game engine [with assets] from the game.
Can you elaborate on the emphasis on Ciri in terms of storytelling?
SK: Let’s consider Ciri through the lens of the trailer because if you analyze this, there are no surprises. We particularly aimed to tell the story of a young woman who is not quite ready to face her fate, [which is a relatable theme for Ciri]. Ciri has been running for nearly all her life, and she ultimately found peace in Kaer Morhen. […] This is why she is the first witcher of her own accord. She chooses to become a witcher because [she enjoys it]. This opens up considerable opportunities for us to examine some truly compelling emotional stakes and classic tropes to present engaging stories. There are common traits [between her and Geralt] such as their fighting styles and behaviors, but she is also very spirited, clear-minded, and deeply involved in everything she encounters, and that’s what we cherish [about her].
MM: She is [also] younger [and] more nimble. Obviously, she [also has a greater capacity for magic than Geralt], giving us [more opportunities] in terms of gameplay. You may even catch a glimpse of this in the trailer. We introduced a sequence, meaning there are various tools, and there will be additional ones.
SK: Małgorzata [also] highlighted the spell. Ciri is not an ordinary human. She is a Source.
This makes her a unique and extraordinarily powerful entity. What does this mean? It implies that you may be able to control or at least sense magic in the world. So, in the trailer, she is using [the water as a source] to cast a powerful spell.
I haven’t read the books in a while, but when she was training at Kaer Morhen, she didn’t actually attend witcher school, nor did she undergo the Trial of Grasses.
MM: Indeed. We can’t yet reveal the full details of what happened [yet], but for those who played the previous game, you know she wasn’t mutated back then, [although she has] certainly passed the Trial of Grasses [by this point in the story]. This also provides…
We provide a type of possibilities for her to become a true Witcher while also discovering how she prefers to navigate this journey on her own terms. The player will have the opportunity to develop alongside her and assist her in making these decisions.
I believe achieving a balance in gameplay will be a complex challenge given how significantly powerful she is within the established lore.
SK: Absolutely, this was one of the key issues we addressed right at the start of pre-production. Yes, she was overpowered in Wild Hunt, and there was a reason behind this. However, here [we want to offer] you a chance to shape her according to your preferences, with the tools we provide and the stories it will be possible for you to experience.
Can you elaborate a bit regarding the creature that was revealed? I understand this is a new monster for The Witcher, but I believe it’s based on Serbian folklore.
MM: Yes, it is indeed inspired by Serbian folklore. It’s more than just a bit [inspired overall].
SK: We pay great attention to every detail, especially when it comes to the monsters. They are at the heart of [a monster slayer’s universe], right? Ciri is a monster slayer. The Bauk is a truly unique entity. It is a lethal creature that is cunning and quick. It senses your fears and has the capability to manipulate your mind. It can make you feel disoriented [and] lost. Then it strikes at a moment when [you’re off-balance]. It is something you will likely experience while…