Witcher 4 2026 Release Report Denied

Developer CD Projekt has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be released in 2026. Read on for the latest updates on the game's development status.

The Witcher 4 Officially Confirmed for Release After 2026

No Official Release Date Announced

Fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in The Witcher series will need to be patient, as CD Projekt Red has clarified the game will not arrive within the next two years.

During the studio's fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the company discussed financial targets tied to a share-based incentive program for the upcoming fiscal year. A key statement followed: "Despite not planning to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we remain committed to achieving this financial objective."

When questioned further during the Q&A session, the developer declined to provide a specific release window or target year beyond 2026. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz elaborated, "We are not yet announcing a precise launch date. For investor clarity, we can confirm the game will not be released within the first target period of the incentive program, which concludes on December 31, 2026."

Development Enters Full Production Phase

While this news helps set realistic expectations for the full launch, development on the highly anticipated sequel is progressing. According to last year's Q3 financial update, the project has now entered "full production." Nielubowicz noted, "Among all our projects, this one (Project Polaris/The Witcher 4) is the most advanced, and we are beginning its most intensive development phase. I thank the team for their dedication and look forward to continued progress."

First unveiled as Project Polaris in 2022, the game's official title was revealed at The Game Awards 2024 with a six-minute cinematic trailer. The Witcher IV will feature an older, more experienced Ciri—Geralt of Rivia's adoptive daughter—stepping into the lead role.

As previously communicated by CD Projekt on X (Twitter) in October 2022, this title will be the first in a new Witcher trilogy. The subsequent two games, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are expected to follow within a six-year period after the release of The Witcher 4.