Witcher 4 2026 Release Rumors Debunked

Fans of the acclaimed The Witcher series will have to wait a bit longer for the next installment, as developer CD Projekt has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be released in 2026. Here's the latest on the game's development and what you can expect.

The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out in 2026

CD Projekt Red has made it clear that The Witcher 4 won't hit the shelves within the next two years. During their fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the studio highlighted their financial goals tied to share-based incentive programs for the next fiscal year. They 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, CD Projekt Red remained tight-lipped about the specific release window or year after 2026. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz clarified, "We are not going to announce the precise launch date for the game yet. All we can 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

Despite the wait, fans can take heart knowing that The Witcher 4 is already in full production. According to CD Projekt's Q3 financial update last year, the game, also known as Project Polaris, is the most advanced of their projects and is entering its most intensive development phase. Nielubowicz expressed his gratitude, 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."

First announced as Project Polaris in 2022, the game was officially titled The Witcher IV at The Game Awards 2024 with a six-minute cinematic trailer that surprised viewers. This new installment bids farewell to the iconic protagonist Geralt of Rivia and introduces his adoptive daughter, Ciri, as the main character. Ciri, now older and more mature, steps into her own adventure, following in Geralt's footsteps.

CD Projekt announced on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022 that The Witcher 4 will be the first title in a new trilogy. The other two titles, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are planned to be released within a six-year window following The Witcher 4.