Don't hold your breath for The Witcher 4. According to CD Projekt, the game won't be released until 2027 at the earliest. During a financial call discussing future profit projections, CD Projekt 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. And although it’s very ambitious, we stand a chance of achieving it within the given timeframe.” This statement eliminates the possibility of a launch in 2024 or 2025, setting 2027 as the soonest we might see The Witcher 4. However, given the unpredictable nature of the video game industry, a 2028 release is not out of the question.
With a 2027 release date, The Witcher 4 could be targeting the next generation of consoles. Sony is likely working on its PlayStation 6 plans, and Microsoft is rumored to be planning a 2027 release for the Xbox Series X successor along with an Xbox handheld. This raises the question of whether The Witcher 4 will be a cross-gen game like Cyberpunk 2077, which launched on both current and last-gen consoles in December 2020. If it is a cross-gen title, could it also work on the Nintendo Switch 2? While it seems unlikely, The Witcher 3 did make it to the Switch, proving that surprises can happen.
Here's what we know: The Witcher 4 is the first in a new trilogy of Witcher games, set after the events of The Witcher 3. Unlike its predecessor, this game will feature Ciri as the main character instead of Geralt. In an exclusive interview with IGN ahead of the game's reveal, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained the choice, stating, "It was always about her, starting from Saga when you read it in the books. She's an amazing, layered character. And of course, as a protagonist we said goodbye to Geralt previously. So this is a continuation. I guess for all of us it’s like she was meant to be. That was always her."
The Witcher IV Game Awards Trailer Screenshots
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In January, during an interview with IGN about Netflix's upcoming animated film, The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep, Geralt's voice actor Doug Cockle expressed his support for CD Projekt's decision to focus on Ciri. He said, "I'm really excited. I think it's a really good move. I mean, I always thought that continuing the Saga, but shifting to Ciri would be a really, really interesting move for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because of things that happen in the books, which I don't want to give away because people, I want people to go read. So yeah, I think it's really exciting. I can't wait. I can't wait to see what they've done."
In February, the director of The Witcher 4 clarified that a new video featured the same in-game model of Ciri, dispelling rumors about changes to her appearance.
For more exclusive content on The Witcher 4, check out our trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt where the developer discusses how they plan to avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch disaster.
