"Witcher 4 2026 Release Rumors Debunked"

Fans of the acclaimed The Witcher series will need to adjust their expectations, as CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not hit the shelves in 2026. Dive into the latest updates and insights on the game's development below.

The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026

No Specific Release Window Yet

CD Projekt Red has dashed hopes of an imminent release for The Witcher 4, stating that the game won't see the light of day within the next two years. During their fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the studio highlighted certain financial targets they aim to meet through share-based incentive programs by the end of the next fiscal year. A telling statement followed: "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, attendees sought more clarity on the statement. However, CD Projekt Red remained reticent about pinpointing a specific release window or year beyond 2026. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz responded, "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

While fans may need to temper their anticipation for the game's full launch, The Witcher 4 is already making significant strides in development. The project, initially known as Project Polaris, has entered "full production" as per the CD Projekt Q3 financial update from last year. "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," Nielubowicz shared.

The game, officially titled The Witcher IV, was unveiled with a captivating six-minute cinematic trailer at The Game Awards 2024. It marks a significant shift in the series' narrative, moving away from the iconic Geralt of Rivia and centering on his adoptive daughter, Ciri, who now steps into the spotlight as a more mature protagonist following in her mentor's footsteps.

CD Projekt announced in October 2022 via X (formerly Twitter) that The Witcher 4 will kick off a new trilogy. The subsequent titles, currently referred to as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are slated to follow within a six-year period after The Witcher 4 is released.