CD Projekt Red Reveals New Official Release Window for The Witcher 4

Patience has become second nature to Witcher enthusiasts. More than a decade has passed since The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt redefined the open-world RPG landscape, leaving fans eager for the saga’s next chapter. While the arrival of The Witcher 4 is still years away, CD Projekt Red has finally provided a tangible timeline for when the Continent will open its borders once more.

CD Projekt Red Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski officially confirmed that the studio is targeting a 2028 release window for the highly anticipated sequel. Addressing the community directly via video, Nowakowski asked players for their understanding as production ramps up. “I know it’s a bit of a wait, and you’d love to play it sooner, but let the team cook,” he explained. He also tempered immediate expectations by clarifying that The Witcher 4 will skip playable demonstrations at Gamescom.

“To our beloved fans, players, and community: As we near Gamescom in just a few days, CD PROJEKT RED Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski would like to personally invite YOU to join us there, and hear about the future of The Witcher franchise!”

— CD PROJEKT RED via X (@thewitcher)

An Ambitious Six-Year Trilogy Blueprint

The projected 2028 debut brings clarity to CDPR’s roadmap after leadership previously ruled out any chance of a release prior to late 2026. More striking than the initial launch date is the studio’s broader strategic vision: delivering an entire new mainline trilogy within a condensed six-year timeframe. Under this framework, fans could theoretically experience The Witcher 5 and The Witcher 6 by 2031 and 2034, respectively.

Executing such a rapid rollout is an extraordinarily steep task. The original trilogy spanned eight years (2007–2015) at a time when AAA production pipelines were considerably leaner. Considering the ballooning scope, technical fidelity, and engine transitions inherent to modern game design, maintaining an uninterrupted cadence across three massive RPGs will require unprecedented efficiency and minimal development friction.

Interim Adventures: Songs of the Past

Fortunately, fans will not have to endure a total content drought while waiting for the next mainline iteration. CDPR is actively preparing Songs of the Past, a brand-new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Positioned as a headline feature during Gamescom livestreams—with Nowakowski teasing “a surprise or two” for viewers—the expansion delivers another dedicated adventure centered on Geralt of Rivia before Ciri takes center stage in The Witcher 4.

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past is slated to arrive next year for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.