The Witcher franchise has become well-known, but its prevalence in pop culture wouldn’t have been possible without the work of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. What began as a short story quickly blossomed into an entire franchise, as the compelling character of Geralt is a huge draw for The Witcher. With Sapkowski’s next book on the horizon, reports are claiming that the next chapter in The Witcher novel series will focus on a much younger version of Geralt, as it follows his early days on The Path.
IGN reported a post from Redanian Intelligence that detailed Sapkowski’s next novel, with one of the most interesting pieces of information revealing that he will supposedly be 18. Set to hit Polish book stores on December 1, the look into Geralt’s early life will eventually be released internationally at an unannounced date. With confirmation that developer CD Projekt Red is working on The Witcher 4, many have wondered about its story, since Geralt of Rivia voice actor Doug Cockle has stated the character will be present, but not as the protagonist. Despite Geralt not being the lead, Sapkowski’s next book holds plenty of material for a spin-off starring the character.
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New Source Material Could Inspire CD Projekt Red
With a brand-new book at the developer’s disposal, a spin-off based around a teenage Geralt stepping into the role of the titular Witcher could be the best way for players to get another chance at taking a walk in his shoes. In the past, CD Projekt Red has made it pretty clear that Geralt’s main arc is over after the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but there are still plenty of avenues to explore with a younger version of the character. Throughout the games, players have seen a far more capable and experienced Geralt, who is more than ready to take on the various monsters he encounters, but a less-prepared take on such a beloved character could be a fascinating contrast.
Geralt and Vesemir’s Relationship
As Geralt’s mentor and father figure, Vesemir is responsible for raising Geralt into a powerful Witcher, and getting a chance to see this unfold would be exciting for many fans. Seeing the earlier days of this relationship could give even greater insight into how the two Witchers grew to respect one another. Both Geralt and Vesemir play fascinating roles in The Witcher franchise, so experiencing how the past shaped them into who they are by the time The Witcher 3 happens could be an ideal route for a spin-off.
Vesemir is the oldest living Witcher, as he’s the only one who survived the attack on the School of the Wolf in Kaer Morhen.
The Future of The Witcher Franchise
A Highly-Anticipated Book and Game Await Fans
While the launch of Sapkowski’s newest story is only a few days away in Poland, the international release has yet to be revealed, which leaves this upcoming prequel of Geralt’s time as a Witcher quite mysterious for many fans. Once an official international launch is confirmed, those who love the fantastical world Sapkowski has crafted will get to see a fresh side of Geralt as he grows into a more capable monster hunter for hire.
Sapkowski’s book is titled
Rozdroże Kruków
, which loosely translates to
Raven’s Crossing
in English, but an official translation has yet to be announced.
Much of The Witcher 4 raises even bigger questions, but recent leaks have claimed new characters and returning voice actors, like Kate Saxon, could be expected, if true. Even if a spin-off with a young Geralt never comes to fruition, it will be thrilling to see where the CD Projekt Red adaptation goes next. Despite Geralt not playing a lead role in The Witcher 4, it’s exciting to know that Sapkowski still has more story material for the character through novels.
