The Witcher 4: Aiming for PS6 and Next-Gen Xbox by 2027?

Don't hold your breath for The Witcher 4. According to CD Projekt, the developers behind the game, it won't be hitting the shelves until 2027 at the earliest.

During a financial call focused on future profit projections, CD Projekt stated: "Even though we do not plan to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we are still driven by this financial goal. And although it’s very ambitious, we stand a chance of achieving it within the given timeframe."

This statement effectively rules out a launch in the current year, which wasn't widely anticipated, and also dashes hopes for a release next year. It sets 2027 as the earliest possible release date for The Witcher 4. However, given the unpredictable nature of the video game industry, there's a chance that the game might slip into 2028.

With a 2027 release in sight, The Witcher 4 might be developed with the next generation of consoles in mind. Sony is likely already planning for the PlayStation 6, while rumors suggest Microsoft is aiming for a 2027 release for the successor to the Xbox Series X, along with an Xbox handheld. The question arises whether The Witcher 4 will be a cross-gen title like Cyberpunk 2077, which launched in December 2020 across multiple console generations. If it is, could it also find its way onto the Nintendo Switch 2? While it seems unlikely, remember that The Witcher 3 did make it to the Switch, proving that surprises can happen.

Here's what we know so far: The Witcher 4 is set to kick off a new trilogy within the Witcher universe, taking place after the events of The Witcher 3. Notably, the protagonist this time isn't Geralt but Ciri.

In an exclusive interview with IGN before the reveal of The Witcher 4, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained why Ciri was chosen as the lead character: "It was always about her, starting from Saga when you read it in the books. She's an amazing, layered character. And of course, as a protagonist we said goodbye to Geralt previously. So this is a continuation. I guess for all of us it’s like she was meant to be. That was always her."

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In January, during an interview with IGN about the upcoming Netflix animated film The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep, Geralt's voice actor Doug Cockle expressed his support for CD Projekt's decision to feature Ciri as the protagonist: "I'm really excited. I think it's a really good move. I mean, I always thought that continuing the Saga, but shifting to Ciri would be a really, really interesting move for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because of things that happen in the books, which I don't want to give away because people, I want people to go read. So yeah, I think it's really exciting. I can't wait. I can't wait to see what they've done."

Furthermore, in February, the director of The Witcher 4 clarified that a new video showcased the same in-game model of Ciri, dispelling rumors that her appearance had changed.

We have more exclusive content on The Witcher 4, including a detailed trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt where they discuss how they plan to avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch disaster.