'Let the team cook. It will be worth the wait' — CD Projekt Red confirms The Witcher 4 is 'targeting' a 2028 launch

The Witcher 4 is officially targeting a 2028 release window CD Projekt Red joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski says the game won't be at Gamescom 2026 He confirms that the game is the studio's "most ambitious game to date" As CD Projekt Red prepares to showcase The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ' s next major expans

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><em><strong>The Witcher 4</strong></em><strong> is officially targeting a 2028 release window</strong></li><li><strong>CD Projekt Red joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski says the game won't be at Gamescom 2026</strong></li><li><strong>He confirms that the game is the studio's "most ambitious game to date"</strong></li></ul><p>As CD Projekt Red prepares to showcase <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/investing-in-this-one-simple-skill-in-the-witcher-3-has-made-my-10-year-anniversary-playthrough-so-much-better-and-it-needs-to-be-in-the-witcher-4"><em>The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt</em></a><em>'</em>s<em> </em>next major expansion, the studio has confirmed that <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/im-incredibly-excited-for-the-witcher-4-but-cd-projekt-red-needs-to-avoid-the-same-performance-issues-the-witcher-3-and-cyberpunk-2077-once-had"><em>The Witcher 4</em></a> is officially targeting a 2028 release window.</p><p>In a <a href="https://x.com/thewitcher/status/2091908890388541442?s=20" target="_blank">video</a> posted to social media ahead of Gamescom Opening Night Live, CD Projekt Red joint-CEO Michal Nowakowski teased <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/the-rumors-were-true-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-is-getting-a-third-expansion-in-2027-called-songs-of-the-past-and-it-could-be-a-prelude-to-the-witcher-4"><em>Songs of the Past</em></a>, <em>The Witcher 3</em>'s third expansion launching in 2027, saying, "We've got a lot of the expansion to show off, including a taste of its dark story, and the new continent it will bring."</p><p><em>Songs of the Past</em> will get a full reveal at Gamescom and is rumored to be a prelude to <em>The Witcher 4</em>, which will star Ciri as the titular witcher. Fans have been waiting for another glimpse of the sequel since the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/the-witcher-4-gets-new-tech-demo-showcasing-our-first-look-at-open-world-gameplay-and-it-gave-me-goosebumps">technical demo</a> was shared last year; however, Nowakowski has confirmed the studio won't be showcasing the game at Gamescom.</p><div class="see-more see-more--clipped"><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet hawk-ignore" data-lang="en" cite="https://twitter.com/cantworkitout/status/2091908890388541442"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">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! pic.twitter.com/Jyam30SrQH<a href="https://twitter.com/cantworkitout/status/2091908890388541442">August 24, 2026</a></p></blockquote></figure><div class="see-more__filter"></div></div><p>He revealed that more than 500 developers are currently working on <em>The Witcher 4,</em> and the game will feature "a huge and immersive open world, intense and action-packed gameplay, and a deep, impactful story that we hope will stay with you for a long time."</p><p>"Simply put, this is our biggest, boldest, and most ambitious game to date," Nowakowski said, before confirming that <em>The Witcher 4</em> is "targeting" a 2028 launch window, which significantly narrows down its expected release date.</p><p>"I know it's a bit of a wait and you'd love to play it sooner," he said, "but let the team cook. It will be worth the wait."</p><p>The joint-CEO added that fans can expect Gamescom to be in CD Projekt Red's plans "for the coming years," suggesting <em>The Witcher 4</em> could be featured at next year's or 2028's showcase.</p><p>While we finally have a launch window, this means the game could still slip to 2029 depending on its development status. It's also unclear if the sequel will get a PS5 physical edition, as <a href="https://www.techradar.com/gaming/in-a-huge-blow-to-game-ownership-playstation-confirms-end-of-physical-games-mere-days-after-gta-6s-disc-less-pre-orders">Sony plans to end production of game discs from January 2028</a>.</p> </article> ]]>