Fans of The Witcher series will need to temper their excitement as CD Projekt has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be released in 2026. Dive deeper to discover the latest updates on the game's development and what lies ahead.
The Witcher 4: Not Coming in 2026
Devotees of The Witcher video game saga will have to exercise patience as CD Projekt Red has made it clear that the highly anticipated fourth installment is not on the horizon for the next two years. During their fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the studio highlighted their financial objectives tied to share-based incentive programs for the upcoming fiscal year, alongside the critical revelation: "Even though we do not plan to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we are still driven by this financial goal."
This statement sparked further inquiries during the Q&A session, where attendees sought additional clarity. However, CD Projekt Red remained discreet about pinpointing a specific release window post-2026. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz responded, "We are not going to announce the precise launch date for the game yet. All we could share now to give more visibility to investors is that the game will not be launched within the time frame of the first target for the incentive program, which ends December 31, 2026."
Full Steam Ahead in Production
While the news might dampen some fans' spirits, The Witcher 4 is well underway in its development journey. Last year's CD Projekt Q3 financial update confirmed that the game, also known as Project Polaris, has entered "full production." Nielubowicz expressed his optimism, stating, "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. I wish to thank the team for its effort and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for further progress."
Initially unveiled as Project Polaris in 2022, the game was officially titled The Witcher IV during The Game Awards 2024, following a captivating six-minute cinematic trailer. This new chapter bids farewell to the iconic Geralt of Rivia and introduces Ciri, his adoptive daughter, now grown and poised to carve her own path in the Witcher universe.
CD Projekt shared on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022 that The Witcher 4 is set to kick off a new trilogy. The subsequent titles, known currently as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are planned to follow within a six-year window after The Witcher 4's release.
