The Witcher IV Targets 2028 Release as CD Projekt Confirms PS5, Xbox, PC Development

CD Projekt RED used the final stretch before Gamescom to pull back the curtain on its next major Witcher project: The Witcher IV is now targeting a 2028 release window, with the company also confirming that development is already well underway across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.

The Witcher IV targets 2028, with Ciri at the center

In a video message from Polish studio co-CEO Michał Nowakowski, CD Projekt RED set expectations for the franchise’s next chapter. While the company did not share a precise date, it clearly indicated that The Witcher IV is aiming for a release window in 2028.

Nowakowski also framed the announcement as a cautious step compared to earlier information. Previously, the game had been confirmed as not releasing in 2026, which had left players hoping for a 2027 launch at best. With 2028 now on the table, the next Witcher adventure will arrive the following year instead.

CD Projekt RED’s plans also shift the protagonist. The new game will feature Ciri as the main playable character, moving the series into a fresh narrative direction after The Witcher 3.

Development scale: 500+ staff as of April 30, 2026

CD Projekt RED stated that, as of April 30, 2026, more than 500 developers were working on The Witcher IV for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC. The company’s broader message positioned the project as its most ambitious undertaking to date.

Studio message: “most ambitious” so far, no gameplay shown at Gamescom

Nowakowski described The Witcher IV as offering an “immense and immersive” open world, action-heavy gameplay, and a deeper story intended to leave a lasting impression. He called it the biggest, boldest, and most ambitious game the studio has made so far.

He acknowledged players’ impatience for a nearer release, but emphasized that the team is not ready to commit to an exact date yet. He also confirmed that The Witcher IV would not be presented during Gamescom and that CD Projekt RED is not prepared to provide a specific day or month at the event.

The Witcher 3 expansion arrives alongside Gamescom hype

While The Witcher IV stays off the show floor, Gamescom Cologne will be a chance for players to check out Songs of the Past, the third expansion for The Witcher 3. CD Projekt RED also highlighted that The Witcher 3 has sold more than 65 million copies since its 2015 debut.