The Witcher 4 now has an official target for launch. CD Projekt Red is aiming to release the next mainline entry in the series in 2028, with Ciri stepping into the lead role as a fully trained witcher. An exact day and month have not been locked in yet.
Quick answer: The Witcher 4 is targeting a 2028 release window. No specific release date, time, or platforms beyond the game’s confirmed direction have been announced.
Release status: 2028 window (no exact date)
Michał Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt Red, confirmed the 2028 target ahead of Gamescom Opening Night Live. He framed the wait as intentional and asked players to give the studio room to finish the project. “I know it’s a bit of a wait and you would love to play it sooner, but let the team cook. It will be worth the wait,” he said.
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Release window | 2028 (targeted) |
| Exact date/time | Not announced |
| Production status | Full production since 2024 |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Lead character | Ciri |
Why the game skipped Gamescom 2026
The Witcher 4 will not appear at Gamescom 2026. The studio confirmed it is not ready to share a firm release date, so the game itself stays out of the show. The 2028 window is the only timing detail being shared for now.
Instead, the event’s Witcher moment goes to a different project. The first gameplay for The Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past is set to be shown during Opening Night Live.
What arrives before The Witcher 4
There is more Witcher content on the way ahead of the 2028 launch. The Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past is scheduled for 2027 and is built to connect the story of The Witcher 3 to the events of The Witcher 4. It gives players something to return to while the new saga is still in development.
| Project | Timing |
|---|---|
| The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past DLC | 2027 |
| The Witcher 4 | 2028 (targeted) |
What to expect from The Witcher 4
Ciri replaces Geralt as the protagonist and starts her own path as a witcher. She was first shown taking on a monster contract in a village where ritual sacrifice is treated as normal, delivering the kind of grounded, dark-fantasy story the series is known for.
The game is being built in Unreal Engine 5 as a large open world, and the studio has described it as its most ambitious Witcher project to date. Combat, exploration, and story remain the core pillars. You can follow updates on the official Witcher 4 page.
For now, 2028 is the number to hold onto. Until CD Projekt Red shares a precise date, treat any specific day as unconfirmed and expect the studio to fill in platforms and further details as development continues.
