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The Witcher 4 Might Be Taking So Long Because It’s Going Full Next-Gen — And Honestly, That Tracks
March 27, 2025When CD Projekt Red quietly let it slip during a financial call that The Witcher 4 wouldn’t be arriving “before the end of 2026,” the internet did what it does best: speculated wildly. And this time, it’s not just “Geralt vs. Ciri: Who’s the main character?” kind of speculation — we’re talking next-gen territory. Let’s connect the dots — or, in proper witcher fashion, follow the trail.
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No 2026? That Means 2027 At The Earliest
Despite whispers in the wind and wishful thinking from fans, CD Projekt Red has effectively crushed all hope for a 2026 release. During the earnings call, the studio stated flat out: The Witcher 4 won’t show its silver sword before the clock strikes 2027.
This aligns with industry insider Jason Schreier, who commented on ResetEra that neither The Witcher 4 nor Intergalactic from Naughty Dog would make a 2026 debut. And let’s be honest, if there’s one person in games journalism who’s basically a digital raven delivering developer secrets, it’s Jason Schreier. So, with a late 2027 (or 2028?) launch on the table — the question becomes: is CDPR planning to debut The Witcher 4 on the next wave of consoles?
The Next-Gen Footprints Are Already There
Here’s the fun part. CDPR’s job listings, tech interviews, and even their vague “we’re planning ahead” language all suggest they’re not just building for today’s hardware. We’re talking high-end PC rigs and, very possibly, whatever PlayStation 6 and Next Xbox are cooking up.
Both Sony and Microsoft are rumored to be eyeing 2027–2028 for their next-gen launches. Convenient timing, huh? And remember what happened with Cyberpunk 2077? Launching across multiple generations sounded great on paper — until it wasn’t. Cross-gen compromises bogged down performance, confused audiences, and left the old-gen versions feeling like, well… beta tests in disguise. Safe to say, CDPR probably doesn’t want a repeat of that saga.
A PC-Only Launch? Probably Not.
In a previous chat with Eurogamer, CDPR’s VP of technology Charles Tremblay acknowledged the idea of going PC-first — and then shrugged it off just as quickly.
“Maybe… but probably not,” he said (paraphrased, but you get the idea). The current plan is not to go full PC exclusive at launch, nor is it to release on every single platform known to man. Think more like strategic rollout — the big dogs first, followed by the others when they’re ready to swing a silver sword without stuttering. So if you’re worried that CDPR will pull a Starfield and gate the game behind some exclusive wall — don’t. But also don’t expect a day-one launch on your smart fridge.
But What About Geralt?
You might be wondering: Is Geralt even the lead again? That’s still up in the air. We know The Witcher 4 is a new saga, and CDPR has hinted this next entry may not follow the White Wolf we’ve come to know (and meme). Maybe we’ll get a new protagonist. Maybe Ciri steps up. Maybe it’s just Roach navigating political drama on horseback. (Okay, maybe not that last one… but admit it, you’d play it.)
What we do know is that CDPR wants to evolve the franchise with this entry. They’ve switched to Unreal Engine 5, promised greater open-world interactivity, and have teams investigating AI tech — just not the generative kind. (You know, the kind that spits out copyright nightmares faster than you can say “Witcher contract.”)
Geralt On PS6? The Timeline Checks Out
If Sony launches the PlayStation 6 by late 2027 or 2028 — and all signs point to that — then The Witcher 4 becomes the perfect poster child for next-gen fantasy.
Imagine stepping into a living, breathing Temeria (or wherever this new story leads) with real-time weather shifts, NPCs who remember your name (and side quests), and no loading screens. That’s the dream, right?
Sure, we might have to wait a few more years… but we’ve waited longer for less (cough Half-Life 3 cough). And when CDPR does finally release this next installment, chances are they’ll want it to showcase what’s possible on fresh hardware. If they pull it off, it could be The Witcher 3 all over again — but shinier, smarter, and with at least 40% more drowners.
While games are fun, it’s highly important to note that there’s more to life than sitting countless hours playing video games – there’s a purpose and more to life; seek out that purpose more often!
