The Witcher Is Replacing Geralt, But His Original Story Continues In 2028

Published Oct 4, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

The Witcher is slowly easing fans into a major transition away from Geralt as the main protagonist, as The Witcher 4 will officially replace him with Ciri as the central figure when it releases in 2028. The recent release of the new Remastered edition of Witcher 3 is letting players relive Geralt's journey in a brand-new way, while the upcoming Songs of the Past DLC will effectively be Geralt's swan song before the story shifts focus to Ciri in The Witcher 4.

For longtime fans, CD Projekt Red's decision to send Geralt out to pasture has been relatively divisive. Geralt has become synonymous with the franchise across its various adaptations, dating back to Andrzej Sapkowski’s original novels. Fortunately, for fans who are finding it hard to quit Geralt of Rivia for good, his original story is far from finished, and it's officially set to continue just as CD Projekt Red moves on.

As The Witcher Closes One Door, Another Opens For Geralt Of Rivia

Despite The Witcher 4's main character switch to Ciri, Geralt's days as The Witcher's central character are far from over, at least in Andrzej Sapkowski's original literary canon. The author has confirmed that he is actively writing another Witcher novel centered on Geralt, with the book already outlined and the manuscript tentatively expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Exactly when the story takes place in Geralt's timeline remains unannounced, but there is good reason to believe Sapkowski could continue exploring Geralt's origins. Crossroads of Ravens went further back than the previous books, following an 18-year-old Geralt shortly after leaving Kaer Morhen and beginning his life on the Path. It deliberately portrayed a less experienced, more idealistic Witcher still developing the outlook that eventually defines him.

When Sapkowski was recently asked whether Geralt's early years offered enough material for additional prequels, his response was that the "sky is the limit." He has also dismissed the idea of shifting the next novel toward another major character such as Yennefer, confirming Geralt will remain its focus. Together, those comments make another formative-years adventure a logical possibility, although Sapkowski has stopped short of confirming the new book's placement in the timeline.

Geralt's Next Chapter May Coincide With The Witcher 4 In 2028

If Sapkowski keeps to his current writing schedule, Geralt's next literary adventure could arrive during the same year that The Witcher undergoes its biggest changing of the guard yet. Sapkowski has said he theoretically expects to finish his next Witcher manuscript by the end of 2027, although he stressed that the timeline could change. No publication window has been announced, but a completed manuscript in 2027 makes some form of 2028 release entirely plausible.

The publication history of Crossroads of Ravens offers a useful reference point. Sapkowski's latest Geralt novel first reached Polish readers in November 2024 before receiving its English-language edition on September 30, 2025, roughly ten months later. The English edition was part of a coordinated international launch spanning more than 20 languages. A similar timetable for the next book could therefore put its original Polish publication in 2028, with an English release potentially following later that year or slipping into 2029 depending on when the manuscript is delivered and how quickly translation and publishing preparations proceed.

The timing becomes considerably more interesting alongside CD Projekt Red's plans. The Witcher 4 is officially targeting 2028 and will begin a new trilogy with Ciri taking over as its central playable character. CD Projekt Red describes the game as the beginning of a new saga, effectively moving its flagship series into a post-Geralt era even as Sapkowski continues writing stories with the White Wolf at the center.

That creates the possibility of 2028 delivering two very different visions of The Witcher's future at almost the same time, with CD Projekt Red pushing forward with Ciri while Sapkowski returns readers to Geralt's storyline. Nothing guarantees the releases will actually coincide, but the currently announced timelines make the overlap entirely possible and even likely. Anyone worried about Geralt's future in the franchise can breathe a sigh of relief, as our beloved Witcher isn't going anywhere.