Fans of the acclaimed Witcher series will need to temper their excitement as CD Projekt has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not see the light of day in 2026. Dive deeper to uncover more about the game's development and what lies ahead.
The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026
No Specific Release Window Yet
Enthusiasts of The Witcher video game series will have to exercise patience, as CD Projekt Red has announced that the much-anticipated fourth installment won't be hitting the shelves within the next two years.
During their fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the studio outlined financial goals tied to share-based incentive programs for the upcoming fiscal year. This was followed by a significant clarification: "Even though we do not plan to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we are still driven by this financial goal."
In a subsequent Q&A session, attendees sought further clarity on this statement. However, CD Projekt Red kept details under wraps regarding a specific release window beyond 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 Speed Ahead In Production
With this announcement, fans can adjust their expectations for the game's full release. Nonetheless, the development of the fourth chapter in this celebrated series is progressing rapidly, having entered "full production" as reported in CD Projekt's Q3 financial update last year. "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," stated Nielubowicz.
Initially unveiled as Project Polaris in 2022, the project was given its official title during The Game Awards 2024, following a stunning six-minute cinematic trailer. The Witcher 4 (stylized as The Witcher IV) bids farewell to the iconic protagonist Geralt of Rivia and introduces another cherished character from the franchise as the lead—Ciri, Geralt's adoptive daughter, now grown and ready to follow in his legendary footsteps.
According to CD Projekt's previous announcements on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022, The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new trilogy. The subsequent titles in this trilogy, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are planned to be released within a six-year window following The Witcher 4's launch.
