Convince me that Ciri is a good choice.

[Szincza]

The other interesting tidbit adding to the intrigue of the new protagonist might be the possible setting and the implications that come with it.

The end of the trailer suggests Ciri is about to do something... rash. Something that Geralt wouldn't necessarily do, given his experience. The developers continue to emphasize that Ciri is NOT Geralt, as she's prone to acting on emotion.

Now, we know that the setting is somewhere "far north," so it's possible we will visit Kovir/Poviss - where Falka comes from. Perhaps the writers will want to explore Ciri's ancestry and highlight the crossroads she will find herself at by drawing, or rather recalling the parallels between the two.

I doubt we'll be able to "pull a Gaetan" on the village, but given Ciri's background, it's not entirely improbable.

 

[Tyrandir]

The end of the trailer suggests Ciri is about to do something... rash. Something that Geralt wouldn't necessarily do, given his experience. The developers continue to emphasize that Ciri is NOT Geralt, as she's prone to acting on emotion.

What bothers a lot of people about Witcher 4's writing style is Ciri's personality being emphasized. Geralt is a badass, thoughtful man with composure. Ciri because she's a woman, doesn't she also have the right to be badass? She must be thoughtless, hysterical and insecure.
Which players (men or women) will want to embody and identify with this character?
Doesn't it bother you to put human genders into boxes?
This subject divides YouTubers and camps are forming on the internet. Do you knows, how does CD Projekt Red address these issues?

 

[Szincza]

It’s quite limiting to assume that a character’s strength, depth, or worth is dependent on fitting into some preconceived mold of “badassness” tied to emotional composure. This view not only undermines the richness of character development but also enforces outdated gender stereotypes. Geralt’s “badass” nature comes from his experiences, choices, and the internal conflict that shapes him, not merely from being a man. To suggest that Ciri, a character who will have her own complex narrative arc, is somehow less legitimate or valid in her personal growth because she is portrayed as emotional or uncertain at times, misses the point entirely.

 

[Tyrandir]

It’s quite limiting to assume that a character’s strength, depth, or worth is dependent on fitting into some preconceived mold of “badassness” tied to emotional composure. This view not only undermines the richness of character development but also enforces outdated gender stereotypes. Geralt’s “badass” nature comes from his experiences, choices, and the internal conflict that shapes him, not merely from being a man. To suggest that Ciri, a character who will have her own complex narrative arc, is somehow less legitimate or valid in her personal growth because she is portrayed as emotional or uncertain at times, misses the point entirely.

Everyone knows that the human brain takes shortcuts. This is why in a trailer you must avoid trying to make too many innuendoes about the personality of the hero or heroine. Many gamers do not identify with the character of Ciri that CD Projekt Red imposes and do not want to embody her. I don't know if the trailer had a more positive than negative impact, but it divides a lot of people

Post automatically merged: Feb 27, 2025

The Ciri in The Witcher 3 is enigmatic, she appears suddenly. We know almost nothing about her, other than that she has powerful powers and that she is hunted by the Wild Hunt. Everyone created their imagination around the character of Ciri.
CD Projekt Red imposes its vision on the character of Ciri, while many gamers have fantasized something else. And it doesn't necessarily please.I can understand it. Ciri became the players' daughter

 

[Draconifors]

Many gamers do not identify with the character of Ciri that CD Projekt Red imposes and do not want to embody her. I don't know if the trailer had a more positive than negative impact, but it divides a lot of people

Considering that would be true absolutely regardless of whom or what they showed on a trailer (yes, including if they had shown Geralt), it doesn't make for a particularly strong argument.

Everyone created their imagination around the character of Ciri.

Nope. Anyone who had read the books, which isn't an insignificant number of players, already knew quite a bit about Ciri.


I'm sure that many of those adamant about Ciri being the wrong choice will end up changing their minds once the game comes out and we learn the full story behind how Ciri became a witcher.

 

[Tyrandir]

Nope. Anyone who had read the books, which isn't an insignificant number of players, already knew quite a bit about Ciri.

We are used to filmmakers generally offering a slightly different vision of the literary work they adapt.

CD Projekt Red could take inspiration from a book by taking liberties not to stick to the original work in order to surprise readers of the books.

Personally, I haven't read any books in this saga. I played The Witcher 1, 2 and 3. It's true that The Witcher 3 is a pretty exceptional game, but it didn't, however, make me want to read the books.

Of the 50 million sales of The Witcher3, 25 million have read the books.
So, I am part of the public who is surprised by the direction that The Witcher 4 takes in relation to the story of The Witcher 3.

 

[LeKill3rFou]

CD Projekt Red could take inspiration from a book by taking liberties not to stick to the original work in order to surprise readers of the books.

Didn't you assume* in a previous post that women can't be Witcher and so, neither Ciri? Claiming it was somehow against the lore/games...
*untrue assumption by the way

1) Ciri can't be a witcher
2) She's a woman and women can't pass the herbal test

So at the end, CDPR can or can't take inspiration and liberties with the original work? Or just when it fit to what you want?

 

[Draconifors]

She must be thoughtless, hysterical and insecure.

The Ciri in the trailer is literally none of these things, so I don't know where you pulled this from.

I don't much care for the word 'badass', but it could easily be used to describe Ciri. Even in parts of Witcher 3, despite her still being more of a girl than a woman there.

Personally, I haven't read any books in this saga.

That's pretty clear.

CDPR, however, have done so (maybe not every single RED, but surely a majority of them), which means they know the lore and the characters a lot better than you do -- which, in turn, means they are in a much more valid position to say and judge what makes sense storywise.

All opinions are valid, but some are less fact-based than others.

Basing opinions on Witcher 3 alone -- and even there cherry-picking dialogue and other details -- is limited in terms of seeing and understanding the whole picture.

 

[Tyrandir]

So at the end, CDPR can or can't take inspiration and liberties with the original work? Or just when it fit to what you want?

Didn't you assume* in a previous post that women can't be Witcher and so, neither Ciri? Claiming it was somehow against the lore/games...
*untrue assumption by the way

As you may have read in my last post, I am one of the 25 million people who played the game, but who have never read the books.

As I've also said several times, a lot of people didn't like the trailer for The Witcher 4.
What I wrote comes from the Witcher 4 detractors.
My posts only serve to clarify the positions taken by CdProjekt Red.

I don't necessarily like writing on forums, but I like to compare ideas to form opinions.

What I fully accept is that for me, Ciri, at the end of The Witcher 3, does not become a witcher. She keeps her Ancient blood powers and will become someone much more powerful than a modest witcher (she's better than that) waiting for her destiny to catch up with her.

 

[AvarageEnjoyer]

Everyone knows that the human brain takes shortcuts. This is why in a trailer you must avoid trying to make too many innuendoes about the personality of the hero or heroine. Many gamers do not identify with the character of Ciri that CD Projekt Red imposes and do not want to embody her. I don't know if the trailer had a more positive than negative impact, but it divides a lot of people

I'm pretty sure that the reception of the trailer was very positive across the board, judging by the comments and likes on Youtube and other platforms.
And many gamers do identify with Ciri, as a matter of fact she was, probably, the most popular protagonist suggestion for the sequel before the announcement confirmed it. She also was not "thoughtless, hysterical and insecure", the only mistake she made was letting Mioni return to the village before her, being angry for what villagers did is not being "hysterical", it's a completely justified display of anger - and I have no idea where the "insecure" observation comes from.

 

[Tyrandir]

I don't much care for the word 'badass', but it could easily be used to describe Ciri. Even in parts of Witcher 3, despite her still being more of a girl than a woman there.

Everyone loves Ciri in Witcher3

insecure

insecure = not sure about her

 

[LeKill3rFou]

She keeps her Ancient blood powers

In The Witcher 3, did you see Ciri using her powers during the endings after defeating the White Frost, any ending?
No, so thinking she stil pocesses her powers is just an assumption, nothing proves it. So she could have lost them fighting the White Frost.

waiting for her destiny to catch up with her.

Ithlinne's prophecy :
"The Time of Contempt will come, when the tree will lose its leaves, the bud will wither, the fruit will rot, the seed turn bitter and the river valleys will run with ice instead of water. The White Frost will come, and after it the White Light, and the world will perish beneath blizzards...
Only those who follow the Swallow will survive. The Swallow, the symbol of spring, is the savior, the one who will open the Forbidden Door, show the way to salvation. And make possible the world’s rebirth. The Swallow, the Child of the Elder Blood..."

I'm far to be an expert with the lore, but to me it seems that at the end of The Witcher 3, Ciri already fullfilled (or changed) her so called "destiny" knowning she stopped the White Frost and save the world.

To be honest, the only valid argument to be against Ciri as a witcher is, either you don't like this or/and either you don't like/want play as Ciri, which is fine, everyone have their preferences, but no need to hide this behind the lore accuracy or anything else...

someone much more powerful than a modest witcher

On a side note, in the Witcher 3, Ciri is not "someone much more powerful than a modest witcher", but she's most probably one of the most powerful beings out there.

 

[Draconifors]

Everyone loves Ciri in Witcher3

Not even remotely true.

In fact, one reason some people have stated for not liking her as Witcher 4's protagonist is not liking her in the first place.

I, for example, do not much like her in Witcher 3. She is annoying.

In this new trailer, however, she is obviously grown up and more mature, so it's very likely I'll like her more in the upcoming game.

 

[Tyrandir]

I'm pretty sure that the reception of the trailer was very positive across the board, judging by the comments and likes on Youtube and other platforms.

On the official The Witcher 4 YouTube channel. The trailer has 4.3M views and 269,000 likes. It's not crazy.
Witcher 3 has sold 50 million copies.

In The Witcher 3, did you see Ciri using her powers during the endings after defeating the White Frost, any ending?
No, so thinking she stil pocesses her powers is just an assumption, nothing proves it. So she could have lost them fighting the White Frost.

Calm down. I have read your previous posts and those of Szincza. The topic is closed, I moved on to another topic. But at least you have the impressions of someone who played the game and didn't read the books.

To be honest, the only valid argument to be against Ciri as a witcher is, either you don't like this or/and either you don't like/want play as Ciri, which is fine, everyone have their preferences, but no need to hide this behind the lore accuracy or anything else...

I love Ciri. But I don't like the character presented in the Trailer. And physically, she doesn't look at all like Ciri in The Witcher 3.
If it's still to have witcher gameplay. It's not very interesting.

Post automatically merged: Feb 27, 2025

Not even remotely true.

In fact, one reason some people have stated for not liking her as Witcher 4's protagonist is not liking her in the first place.

I, for example, do not much like her in Witcher 3. She is annoying.

In this new trailer, however, she is obviously grown up and more mature, so it's very likely I'll like her more in the upcoming game.

It's interesting, I really feel out of step with all the opinions given in the posts.

 

[AvarageEnjoyer]

On the official The Witcher 4 YouTube channel. The trailer has 4.3M views and 269,000 likes. It's not crazy.
Witcher 3 has sold 50 million copies.

Not everyone who bought Witcher 3 is going to watch trailer on The Witcher Youtube channel - some people watched it on other platforms or on other channels (almost 10 mln views on IGN channel, for example). And it doesn't contradict the statement that most of those who watched it liked it.

 

[Draconifors]

Not everyone who bought Witcher 3 is going to watch trailer on The Witcher Youtube channel - some people watched it on other platforms or on other channels (almost 10 mln views on IGN channel, for example). And it doesn't contradict the statement that most of those who watched it liked it.

All true.

Additionally, only people who log in to YouTube are able to like videos, but views are counted regardless of whether the viewer is logged in.

So, anyone who has watched the trailer without being logged in to YouTube/Google has been unable to leave a like. The number of such viewers is bound to be significant.


Edit: I did a little test. While not logged in to YouTube/Google, searching YouTube for 'Witcher 4 trailer' and 'Witcher 4 official trailer' produced IGN's video as the top result, while the official The Witcher channel's upload didn't appear even after a lot of scrolling.

Searching for 'Witcher 4' produced an AnsweRED episode as the first result, immediately followed by IGN's trailer upload.

Conclusion: YouTube's algorithm promotes IGN's upload far over the official one.

 

[Domhnallaich]

It's interesting, I really feel out of step with all the opinions given in the posts.

This is The Witcher community now. Most don’t seem to care about keeping in step with good writing as long as they get what they want. The game isn’t canon so CDPR can do what they want and any choice is okay with them as long as they get another Witcher game.

Best just stepping away, as I have - you are not going to change anyone’s mind.

Maybe CDPR will prove us wrong time will tell, but I personally cannot accept what they have done to Ciri so they won’t be getting my money.

 

[AvarageEnjoyer]

This is The Witcher community now. Most don’t seem to care about keeping in step with good writing as long as they get what they want. The game isn’t canon so CDPR can do what they want and any choice is okay with them as long as they get another Witcher game.

Best just stepping away, as I have - you are not going to change anyone’s mind.

Maybe CDPR will prove us wrong time will tell, but I personally cannot accept what they have done to Ciri so they won’t be getting my money.

>good writing
Saw this and thought of this image:

 

[Domhnallaich]

>good writing
Saw this and thought of this image:
View attachment 11412350

It’s bad

 

[Szincza]

This is The Witcher community now. Most don’t seem to care about keeping in step with good writing as long as they get what they want. The game isn’t canon so CDPR can do what they want and any choice is okay with them as long as they get another Witcher game.

Best just stepping away, as I have - you are not going to change anyone’s mind.

Maybe CDPR will prove us wrong time will tell, but I personally cannot accept what they have done to Ciri so they won’t be getting my money.

Calling out the Witcher/CDPR community for not caring about good writing, when good writing is both one of the franchise’s and the studio’s strongest suit, is crazy work, not gonna lie.

How about using constructive arguments instead of generalising just because you happen to disagree with the direction taken by the developers?

Also, what does “the game is not canon” suppose to mean? It absolutely is canon - to the rest of the games.