CD Projekt Red is targeting a 2028 release for The Witcher 4, giving the long-awaited sequel several more years of development before it reaches players. The company’s joint chief executive, Michał Nowakowski, confirmed the potential release window while discussing the studio’s plans for the upcoming game.
The Witcher 4 was first announced in 2022, beginning a lengthy wait for more information about the next major instalment in the fantasy role-playing series. CD Projekt Red eventually provided a first major look at the game with a reveal trailer shown during The Game Awards in late 2024.
Nowakowski said the project represents the most ambitious production the Polish developer has undertaken. “Simply put, this is our biggest, boldest and most ambitious game to date,” he said in a short video posted to social media. “I know it’s a bit of a wait and you’d love to play it sooner, but let the team cook.”
To our beloved fans, players, and community: As we near #gamescom in just a few days, CD PROJEKT RED Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski would like to personally invite YOU to join us there, and hear about the future of The Witcher franchise!
— The Witcher (@thewitcher.com) August 24, 2026 at 11:24 PM
[image or embed]
The Witcher 4 remains several years away
The 2028 target suggests players will have to wait considerably longer before The Witcher 4 is ready for release. CD Projekt Red has not announced a specific launch date, meaning the year should be viewed as the studio’s current goal rather than a firm commitment.
The extended development period is likely to give the team more time to build the game and ensure it meets the studio’s expectations. The Witcher 4 is expected to begin a new chapter for the franchise, following the events and characters of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt while moving the series into a new phase.
CD Projekt Red has previously positioned the game as a major project for the company. Its scale means the studio is expected to spend years developing its world, story, characters and gameplay systems before launch. The decision to avoid showing more of the game at Gamescom also suggests the developer is not yet ready to deliver another major public presentation.
For fans who have been waiting since the original announcement, the news means they’ll need to be patient. However, the studio appears to be prioritising development over revealing more footage before the game is ready.
Gamescom will focus on The Witcher 3 expansion
While The Witcher 4 will not be shown at Gamescom, CD Projekt Red plans to use the event to showcase more of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past. Gamescom begins on 26 August, and the studio is expected to provide a substantial look at the upcoming expansion during the event.
The company said it will reveal “a lot of 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, making it another significant addition to the franchise while development of The Witcher 4 continues.
Songs of the Past is being positioned as a major new piece of content for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The original game was released in 2015, while its previous major expansion arrived several years ago. A new expansion arriving more than a decade after the base game’s launch would allow CD Projekt Red to return to one of its most successful games before moving fully into the next chapter.
The Gamescom presentation will therefore give fans something new to look forward to even though The Witcher 4 will remain out of the spotlight. More information about the expansion could also indicate how CD Projekt Red intends to continue supporting The Witcher series while its next mainline game remains in development.
CD Projekt Red is taking a cautious approach
The decision to give The Witcher 4 more development time comes after CD Projekt Red experienced significant problems with the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. The game was released in 2020 after years of anticipation but suffered from technical issues, particularly on older consoles, leading to widespread criticism and the eventual rollout of numerous updates.
That history has made launch quality an important consideration for the studio. A longer development cycle could allow CD Projekt Red to test the game more thoroughly and address technical problems before release rather than relying heavily on post-launch fixes.
The Witcher 4 is also being developed as a major new project for a studio that has expanded its ambitions since The Witcher 3’s release. With the game expected to begin a new saga, CD Projekt Red faces considerable pressure to deliver an experience that matches the reputation of its previous work.
For now, the developer is asking fans to wait rather than expecting a steady stream of new information. The 2028 target provides the clearest indication yet of when The Witcher 4 could arrive, although plans could still change during development.
The immediate focus will instead turn to Songs of the Past, which will receive a larger showing at Gamescom. For fans of the franchise, that expansion should provide new content to explore while CD Projekt Red continues working towards the next major chapter in The Witcher series.
