Witcher 4 2026 Release Rumors Debunked

Fans of the iconic The Witcher series will need to exercise a bit more patience for the arrival of the eagerly anticipated fourth installment. CD Projekt, the game's developer, has officially announced that The Witcher 4 will not be hitting the shelves in 2026. Let's delve into the latest updates and insights regarding the game's development.

The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026

No Specific Release Window Yet

CD Projekt Red has made it clear that fans will have to wait longer than expected for The Witcher 4. During their fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the studio outlined financial goals tied to share-based incentive programs for the upcoming fiscal year. A significant 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 a subsequent Q&A session, when pressed for more details, CD Projekt Red remained cautious. 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, The Witcher 4 is making significant strides in its development. The game, also known as Project Polaris, has entered "full production" as per the CD Projekt Q3 financial update from last year. Nielubowicz expressed optimism about the project's progress, 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 unveiled as Project Polaris in 2022, The Witcher 4 (stylized as The Witcher IV) was officially titled during The Game Awards 2024 with a captivating six-minute cinematic trailer. The game introduces a new protagonist, shifting the focus from Geralt of Rivia to his adoptive daughter, Ciri, who is now older and more mature, ready to carve her own path in the Witcher world.

According to CD Projekt's announcements on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022, The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new trilogy. The subsequent titles, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are slated to follow within a six-year window after The Witcher 4's release.