Witcher 4 2026 Release Rumors Debunked

Fans of the iconic The Witcher series, prepare to adjust your expectations: CD Projekt has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be hitting the shelves in 2026. Dive deeper into the latest updates and insights on the game's development journey.

The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026

No Specific Release Window Yet

Eager fans of The Witcher series might need to exercise a bit more patience. CD Projekt Red, the game's developer, has confirmed that the much-anticipated fourth installment won't be ready within the next two years. This revelation came during the studio's fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, where they outlined financial targets for the upcoming fiscal year and noted, "Even though we do not plan to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we are still driven by this financial goal."

During the Q&A session, the topic was revisited, yet CD Projekt Red kept details under wraps about any specific release window or year beyond 2026. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz stated, "We are not going to announce the precise launch date for the game yet. All we could 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 delay, there's good news for fans: The Witcher 4 is in full swing. The project, previously known as Project Polaris, is now deep into its "full production" phase, as revealed in CD Projekt's Q3 financial update last year. Nielubowicz expressed optimism, stating, "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 teased as Project Polaris in 2022, The Witcher 4 (stylized as The Witcher IV) made a splash at The Game Awards 2024 with a six-minute cinematic trailer. The game introduces a new protagonist, moving away from the beloved Geralt of Rivia to focus on his adoptive daughter, Ciri, who has matured into a formidable character in her own right.

According to CD Projekt's announcements on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022, The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new trilogy. Following titles, tentatively named Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are planned to be released within a six-year window after The Witcher 4 launches.