CD Projekt Red targets 2028 release for The Witcher 4

CD Projekt Red is positioning the next mainline entry in The Witcher series as its most ambitious project to date, but the studio's targeted 2028 release window places the game in direct conflict with a fundamental shift in how console games are sold. While the developer aims for high-end technical performance, the timing risks making the title a casualty of Sony's move away from physical media.

Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski confirmed the 2028 target in a video released ahead of Gamescom 2026. The studio has not committed to a specific quarter or launch date, and Nowakowski clarified that the timeline should be viewed as a production target rather than a guaranteed date. More than 500 developers are currently assigned to the project, which begins a new saga featuring Ciri as the main protagonist, replacing Geralt of Rivia.

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The transition to a new lead character coincides with a total overhaul of the studio's technical foundation. CD Projekt Red is abandoning its proprietary REDengine in favor of a custom version of Unreal Engine 5, developed in collaboration with Epic Games. This shift moves the studio from an in-house tool to a third-party engine known for high graphical fidelity and advanced environmental rendering.

Technical demonstrations provided by the studio highlight specific performance goals for the current console generation. A June 2025 tech demo claimed the game would run on a base PlayStation 5 at 60fps with ray tracing, featuring dense crowds and improved foliage. However, the studio later cautioned that these visuals represented engine capabilities and development goals rather than the final product.

This technical pivot occurs as the studio attempts to restore its reputation following the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. The 2028 window suggests a longer polishing phase, which some observers believe may help the developers avoid the overtime issues that plagued their previous title. Despite the long wait for the sequel, the studio is preparing "bridge" content to maintain player engagement.

• 2027: Release of Songs of the Past, a third major expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This expansion returns players to the role of Geralt of Rivia and is scheduled for Windows, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
• 2028: Targeted release window for The Witcher 4.

The 2028 window creates a critical ownership conflict for PlayStation users. Sony has confirmed it will stop producing physical game discs for new PlayStation releases starting in January 2028. If The Witcher 4 launches after this deadline, a disc version is unlikely under current Sony policy, potentially stripping players of physical ownership, resale options, and long-term offline access.

This digital-only trajectory on consoles stands in contrast to the studio's PC strategy. GOG has confirmed that future CD Projekt Red titles will remain available on its storefront, ensuring The Witcher 4 will have a DRM-free release. This allows PC users to use offline installers without requiring a launcher to keep the game running.

While the core team focuses on the 2028 target, other Witcher-related projects have faced instability. The studio is developing a multiplayer spinoff, codenamed Project Siris, though the company confirmed in August that it had laid off staff working on that specific title.

The project is confirmed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While it will be available on the PlayStation Store and Steam, no pricing or specific release editions have been announced.

Development Timeline and Scale

The 2028 target arrives after a period of prolonged silence regarding a timeline; the project was first announced at The Game Awards in 2024 with a cinematic trailer depicting Ciri accepting a witcher contract in a remote village. According to PC GamesN, the rumor mill had been active for years following the initial confirmation of the game's existence in early 2022.

The current scale of production reflects the studio's ambitions. Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski stated that the project is being built by more than 500 developers. This workforce is tasked with creating what Nowakowski described as the studio's biggest, boldest and most ambitious game to date, a sentiment echoed in reports by Rock Paper Shotgun.

While the core project advances, the studio's wider franchise strategy remains fragmented. The multiplayer spinoff, Project Siris, continues to face instability following the August layoffs of its staff. Meanwhile, the 2027 expansion Songs of the Past is positioned as a narrative bridge. Although Guru3D notes that the studio has not confirmed a direct narrative link between the expansion and the new saga, the DLC is expected to feature a dark story and return players to the role of Geralt of Rivia more than a decade after the original 2015 launch of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

The studio is now managing the transition from early production to full development. For the developers, the next step involves refining the Unreal Engine 5.6 systems and environmental rendering demonstrated in previous technical previews to ensure they translate into a final, playable product.