Fact check: CDprojectred is free to make whatever creative decisions they choose. But I have zero interest in financially supporting a Wither game that does not feature Geralt of Rivera as the primary playable protagonist.

1. Summary of the results

The original statement contains two key claims:

• CD Projekt Red's creative freedom: This is fully confirmed by multiple sources, with studio co-founders explicitly stating "Nobody is telling us what to do" ^[1] and describing themselves as "rebels" with creative independence ^[2].
• Geralt as protagonist: This part is directly contradicted by official sources, as CD Projekt Red has confirmed Ciri will be the protagonist of The Witcher 4 ^{[3] [4]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• The decision to make Ciri the protagonist was an "organic, logical choice" rooted in the original book saga ^[3]
• Ciri belongs to the Lynx School, not the Wolf School like Geralt ^[5]
• This decision wasn't made hastily - it came after nine years of discussions about potential leads ^[6]
• Doug Cockle, Geralt's original voice actor, has expressed excitement about Ciri taking the lead ^[7]
• Geralt will still be present in some capacity, though not as the primary playable character ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The statement presents a false dichotomy by suggesting that Geralt's absence as protagonist diminishes the game's value. This overlooks several key factors:

• The developers have emphasized that Ciri's story was always intended to be central to The Witcher saga ^[7]
• CD Projekt Red has acknowledged potential fan backlash but remains confident in their decision ^[3]
• The studio's creative independence, which the statement supports, is precisely what allows them to make this choice ^[1]

Those who might benefit from pushing the "Geralt-only" narrative include:

• Content creators and fan communities built around Geralt's character
• Players resistant to change in established franchises
• Those who might use fan disappointment to generate engagement and controversy