CD Projekt Red has officially set a 2028 target release window for the highly anticipated next chapter in its flagship fantasy RPG franchise, The Witcher 4.
The announcement came via a video message shared on social media by joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski ahead of Gamescom 2026. While acknowledging that the release date is still a considerable wait for fans, Nowakowski emphasized the massive scope and ambition driving the studio’s next mainline entry.
“Simply put, this is our biggest, boldest, and most ambitious game to date,” Nowakowski said. “The Witcher 4 is targeting a 2028 release window. I know it’s a bit of a wait, and you’d love to play it sooner—but let the team cook. It will be worth the wait.”
What we know:
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Lead Character: Ciri takes center stage to lead the new saga.
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Team Size: Over 500 developers are actively working on the title at CD Projekt Red HQ.
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Engine & Scope: Built using Unreal Engine 5, featuring a massive open world, deep narrative branching, and revamped combat mechanics.
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Gamescom Presence: The Witcher 4 will not be shown at Gamescom 2026. Instead, CDPR is utilising Opening Night Live to showcase The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past—a newly announced story expansion starring Geralt, scheduled to release in 2027.
The Witcher 4 marks the start of a brand-new trilogy for the Polish studio and its first mainline title developed outside its proprietary REDengine. By transitioning to Unreal Engine 5 in partnership with Epic Games, the team aims to streamline production pipeline efficiency while delivering ground-breaking visual fidelity.
While the long development timeline reflects the increasing scale of AAA game production, the studio’s commitment to giving the project ample development time underscores a clear priority: delivering a fully polished experience at launch.
For fans eager to return to the Continent sooner, CDPR’s upcoming 2027 expansion Songs of the Past will help bridge the gap before Ciri takes the lead in 2028.