Fans of the beloved The Witcher series will need to temper their excitement as developer CD Projekt has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be making its debut in 2026. Dive into the latest updates and insights on the game's development journey.
The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026
No Specific Release Window Yet
Eager fans hoping for a swift return to the world of The Witcher will need to hold on a bit longer. CD Projekt Red has made it clear that the much-anticipated fourth installment won't hit the shelves within the next two years. During their fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the studio shared their financial aspirations tied to share-based incentive programs but also dropped the bombshell that "The Witcher 4 won't see the light of day by the end of 2026."
This statement was further emphasized during the Q&A session of the forum, where CD Projekt Red's Chief Financial Officer, Piotr Nielubowicz, reaffirmed that no specific launch date would be announced yet. "The game will not be launched within the time frame of the first target for the incentive program, which ends December 31, 2026," Nielubowicz stated, keeping the future release window shrouded in mystery.
Full Speed Ahead In Production
Despite the delay, The Witcher enthusiasts can take solace in the fact that the game, known as Project Polaris during its early stages, is now in full production. CD Projekt's Q3 financial update from last year highlighted this significant milestone, with Nielubowicz expressing gratitude to the team and optimism for the project's future. "Of all our projects, this one [Project Polaris/The Witcher 4] is currently the most far along, and we're starting the most intensive phase of development," he shared.
First unveiled as Project Polaris in 2022, the game was dramatically revealed as The Witcher IV at The Game Awards 2024 with a captivating six-minute cinematic trailer. This new chapter will bid farewell to the iconic Geralt of Rivia and introduce Ciri, his adoptive daughter, as the protagonist. Now older and more seasoned, Ciri steps into her own as she follows in Geralt's legendary footsteps.
CD Projekt's announcements on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022 also revealed that The Witcher 4 will kick off a new trilogy. The subsequent titles, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are slated to follow within a six-year window after The Witcher 4's release, promising an extended journey through the rich world of The Witcher.
