Witcher 4 2026 Release Rumors Debunked

The Witcher 4 will not be among the list of released games for 2026, confirmed developer CD Projekt. Read on to find out more about updates regarding the game and its development.

The Witcher 4 Will Not Come Out In 2026

No Specific Release Window Yet

Fans of the acclaimed The Witcher video game series will need to exercise a bit more patience for the fourth installment. Developer CD Projekt Red has officially announced that The Witcher 4 won't be hitting the shelves anytime soon, specifically not within the next two years.

During CD Projekt's fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, the studio outlined certain financial goals tied to share-based incentive programs for the upcoming fiscal year. Following this, they made a significant announcement: "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 Q&A session following the presentation, an attendee sought further clarification on the release timeline. However, CD Projekt Red remained cautious about divulging specifics beyond 2026. Chief Financial Officer Piotr Nielubowicz responded, "We are not going to announce the precise launch date for the game yet. All we can 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 adjust their expectations regarding the game's full launch, rest assured that The Witcher 4 is well underway. CD Projekt announced last year in their Q3 financial update that the game, codenamed Project Polaris, has entered "full production." Nielubowicz expressed optimism about the project's progress, stating, "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."

Originally unveiled as Project Polaris in 2022, the game was officially titled The Witcher 4 during The Game Awards 2024, following a captivating six-minute cinematic trailer. This new installment bids farewell to the iconic protagonist Geralt of Rivia and introduces his adoptive daughter, Ciri, as the main character. An older and more mature Ciri steps into the spotlight, ready to carve her own path in the world of The Witcher.

CD Projekt announced on X (formerly Twitter) in October 2022 that The Witcher 4 will be the first title in a new trilogy. The subsequent games, currently known as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are slated to follow within a six-year period after The Witcher 4 is released.