CD Projekt, the developer behind The Witcher series, has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be released in 2026. Dive deeper to learn more about the game's development and future updates.
The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026
Fans of The Witcher franchise will need to exercise a bit more patience, as CD Projekt Red has clarified that the highly anticipated fourth installment won't be hitting the shelves within the next two years.
During their fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, CD Projekt Red outlined their financial objectives tied to share-based incentive programs for the upcoming fiscal year. They explicitly stated, "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 the Q&A session that followed, an attendee sought further clarification on this statement. However, CD Projekt Red remained reticent about pinpointing a specific release window or year beyond 2026. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz emphasized, "We are not going to announce the precise launch date for the game yet. All we can share to provide 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 regarding the full launch of The Witcher 4. Despite the delay, the game is actively being developed and has entered "full production," as stated in CD Projekt's Q3 financial update from last year. Nielubowicz expressed his appreciation for the team's efforts, saying, "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 4 (stylized as The Witcher IV) during The Game Awards 2024. A six-minute cinematic trailer introduced fans to the new protagonist, Ciri, Geralt of Rivia's adoptive daughter, now older and stepping into her own as a lead character.
As per 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, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are slated to follow within a six-year window after The Witcher 4's release.
