The Witcher 4 Targets 2028 Release with Ciri as Main Protagonist

The Witcher 4 is set to be released in 2028, with Ciri as its main protagonist.

CD Projekt RED, the developer behind the series, has established 2028 as the current target year for The Witcher 4. Co-CEO Michał Nowakowski revealed the schedule in a social-media video released ahead of Gamescom.

The announcement gives the project its first general release window, but it's essential to note that several years of development are still ahead, and the 2028 schedule should be considered a production target rather than a guaranteed release date.

The studio's immediate promotional focus is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past, a new expansion reportedly scheduled for release in 2027. Gamescom attendees are expected to receive a preview of its darker narrative, although information about its scale and gameplay additions remains limited.

CD Projekt RED has not explained whether Songs of the Past will connect directly to The Witcher 4. The expansion could provide additional context for the next game, but no narrative link has been confirmed.

The Witcher 4 will feature Ciri as its main protagonist, a significant change from the previous games where Geralt of Rivia was the central character. Giving Ciri the leading role allows CD Projekt RED to begin another storyline while retaining a strong connection to the earlier games.

The project marks a substantial technology change for CD Projekt RED, as it is being developed with Unreal Engine 5, whereas previous Witcher games used the company's proprietary REDengine.

Earlier footage created with Unreal Engine 5.6 demonstrated some of the environmental rendering and visual systems being investigated for the project. Technology demonstrations primarily illustrate engine capabilities and development goals, however, and do not necessarily represent the graphics, content, performance, or gameplay of the finished release.

CD Projekt RED has not yet confirmed the game's platforms, PC requirements, world structure, release editions, or pricing. More details will likely be shared as development progresses toward the planned 2028 launch period.

The company has not announced a new trailer, gameplay demonstration, or development presentation for The Witcher 4 at Gamescom, and attendees can expect to see more of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past instead.