CD Projekt Red targets 2028 for The Witcher 4, prioritising expansion at Gamescom
The studio’s joint-CEO describes the sequel as its most ambitious project yet, while shifting immediate focus to a new expansion for the 2015 classic.
CD Projekt Red has set its sights on 2028 for the release of The Witcher 4, a timeline that reflects the studio’s desire to avoid the launch-day pitfalls that plagued its previous major title. Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski confirmed the target date in a social media video, acknowledging that fans may be eager for an earlier arrival but urging them to "let the team cook" to ensure the game is polished.
Nowakowski characterised the sequel as the company’s "biggest, boldest and most ambitious game to date." The long-awaited project was first announced in 2022, with a reveal trailer finally released at The Game Awards in late 2024. The extended development period has been met with cautious optimism by the community, many of whom are still mindful of the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077.
With the major gaming event Gamescom set to begin on 26 August, CD Projekt Red will not be showcasing The Witcher 4. Instead, the studio will direct its attention to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past, the third major expansion for the 2015 action RPG. This new content arrives a full decade after the second significant update to the original game.
At the event, the developer plans to reveal a substantial amount of detail regarding the expansion, including a "taste of its dark story and the new content it will bring." The expansion is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2027, serving as a bridge for players while the team works on the next main entry in the franchise.
The announcement provides a clearer roadmap for the franchise, separating the immediate future of the 2015 classic from the long-term development of its successor. By holding back The Witcher 4 from the Gamescom spotlight, CD Projekt Red signals a strategy focused on delivering a refined product rather than rushing to meet market expectations.
For investors and industry observers, the timeline underscores the studio’s commitment to quality over speed, a lesson drawn from its recent history. The 2028 target remains an aim rather than a fixed date, but it offers a concrete horizon for one of the most anticipated titles in the industry.
