The Witcher 4: CD Projekt Red Targets 2028 Release

CD Projekt Red will target a 2028 release window for The Witcher 4, joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski confirmed in a video posted to the franchise's official social media accounts ahead of Gamescom 2026. For a fanbase that has spent years wondering when the next grand hunt begins, the announcement replaces a hazy question mark with a firm, albeit distant, calendar year.

The project is being positioned as the studio’s "biggest, boldest, and most ambitious game to date," according to the developer.

While the studio recently teased some nostalgia with returning features in a Witcher 3 DLC, the next generation of the franchise is taking a much longer runway. Setting a destination four years out is a level of forward planning usually reserved for municipal infrastructure projects, but it gives the team a clear horizon to work toward.

The details

• Target window: 2028
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
• Gamescom showcase: None (the game is skipping Opening Night Live)

A quiet showcase

While the timing of the video aligns with the industry's annual gathering in Cologne, Germany, fans hoping for a surprise gameplay reveal during Gamescom's Opening Night Live will need to manage their expectations. CD Projekt Red confirmed the title will not have a presence at the showcase.

Instead of flashy stage demos, the announcement serves as a status report. The studio is opting to stake its claim on 2028 quietly, letting the target date do the talking while the actual game remains behind closed doors.

The long road to 2028

Developing a sequel meant to anchor an entire studio's future takes time, and CD Projekt Red is making no secret of the scale. By labeling it their most ambitious project, the developer is signaling that the transition to the next chapter of the Witcher saga will not be rushed.

For players, a 2028 target means the current console generation will be well into its twilight years by the time the game arrives. In an industry where deadlines frequently shift like sand, circle-marking a year so far in advance is a bold gesture of confidence—or at least a very clear signal to keep those swords polished for the long haul.