Fans of The Witcher series will need to temper their excitement as CD Projekt Red has officially announced that The Witcher 4 will not be hitting the shelves in 2026. Dive deeper to learn more about the game's current development status and future prospects.
The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026
No Specific Release Window Yet
Eager fans of The Witcher series will have to exercise patience as CD Projekt Red has clarified that The Witcher 4 won't be released in the next two years. During the studio's fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, they outlined certain financial objectives tied to share-based incentive programs for the upcoming fiscal year, emphasizing that "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, when pressed for more details about the release timeline, CD Projekt Red remained evasive. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz stated, "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 latest announcement, The Witcher enthusiasts should adjust their expectations regarding the game's release. However, the development of the fourth installment, known as The Witcher 4, is well underway and has entered "full production" as per the CD Projekt Q3 financial update from last year. Nielubowicz commented, "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."
Originally announced as Project Polaris in 2022, the game was officially titled The Witcher IV during The Game Awards 2024, where a six-minute cinematic trailer stunned audiences with its reveal. The Witcher IV shifts the spotlight from the iconic Geralt of Rivia to another cherished character in the franchise—Geralt's adoptive daughter, Ciri, now older and more mature, clearly following in her mentor's footsteps.
According to CD Projekt's announcements on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022, The Witcher IV marks the beginning of a new trilogy. The subsequent titles, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are slated to be released within a six-year window following The Witcher IV.
