Doug Cockle, the iconic voice behind Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series, recently shared his surprise at the monumental success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, Cockle recalled his early days working on the game, noting that “nobody knew or cared” about the first two Witcher RPGs. The first game was a niche title, and even The Witcher 2, which sold around 8 million copies in its first three years, didn’t indicate the explosive success that was to come.
When Cockle began voicing Geralt for the first game, his experience in video games was limited to minor roles in titles like RuneScape, TimeSplitters 2, and Perfect Dark Zero. He never anticipated that The Witcher 3 would become a cultural phenomenon, selling over 50 million copies and transforming into a major franchise. It wasn’t until six months after the release of The Witcher 3 that Cockle realized the game’s massive impact.
The success of The Witcher 3 has led to various adaptations, including the popular live-action Netflix series, which closely mirrors Cockle’s portrayal of Geralt. He is set to return as Geralt in the upcoming animated series, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep.
Looking ahead, Cockle is unsure whether he will be involved in The Witcher 4, which is currently in development with over 400 developers working on it. CD Projekt Red has indicated that the new game will feature new gameplay elements and mechanics, distinguishing it from The Witcher 3. Fans are eagerly speculating about the game’s storyline, with some guessing that Ciri might play a central role.
The Witcher 4 aims to build on the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh experiences for players, ensuring the franchise continues to evolve and captivate its audience.
