CD Projekt Red Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski has confirmed that The Witcher 4 is targeting a 2028 release window, marking a considerable wait for fans eager to step into the next chapter of the fantasy RPG saga. Speaking in a social media video ahead of Gamescom 2026, Nowakowski addressed the lengthy timeline directly, assuring players that the extended development cycle is necessary to deliver the studio’s most ambitious project to date. While the announcement confirms a long road ahead, it provides clarity on where the flagship franchise stands as CD Projekt Red reshapes its core development strategy.
The upcoming title represents a fundamental turning point for the series, replacing long-time protagonist Geralt of Rivia with Ciri as the main playable character following the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Development is progressing on Unreal Engine 5, marking a permanent transition away from the studio’s proprietary REDengine. Alongside the technical migration and central narrative shift, the game will expand the physical boundaries of the series by setting its journey in the northern region of Kovir, a location previously confined to Andrzej Sapkowski’s original book series.
Despite the release window announcement lining up with Gamescom week, CD Projekt Red confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not have a presence at the event. Instead, the developer is focusing its immediate public showcase on The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, an upcoming story DLC slated for release next year on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Coupled with the ongoing development of the original Witcher remake announced in 2022, the studio is structuring a multi-tiered pipeline intended to keep the property active while the primary sequel remains in deep production.
For a studio still rebuilding long-term trust following past release missteps, setting an explicit 2028 target two years in advance signals a deliberate effort to manage community expectations early. By establishing realistic timelines, CD Projekt Red gives its development teams the necessary runway to adjust to new engine tools and expanded world design. Fans may face a lengthy wait, but the clear roadmap provides a concrete horizon for the franchise’s next major evolution.
