Witcher 4 2026 Release Rumors Debunked

CD Projekt has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be released in 2026, putting an end to recent rumors about a potential 2026 launch window. Read on for the latest updates regarding the game's development status.

The Witcher 4 Will Not Be Released in 2026

No Official Release Date or Window Announced

Fans of The Witcher series will need to exercise more patience as CD Projekt has clarified that The Witcher 4 is not scheduled for release before the end of 2026.

During the company’s fiscal year 2024 earnings presentation, CD Projekt outlined financial goals tied to share-based incentive programs for the upcoming fiscal year. This was followed by a notable statement: “Even though we do not plan to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we are still driven by this financial goal.”

In the Q&A session that followed, investors and attendees sought further clarification on the timeline. However, the studio remained firm in withholding any specific release window beyond 2026. CFO Piotr Nielubowicz stated, “We are not going to announce the precise launch date for the game yet. All we could share now to give more visibility to investors is that the game will not be launched within the time frame of the first target for the incentive program, which ends December 31, 2026.”

Development Is in Full Swing

Although the 2026 window is now off the table, it's important to note that development on The Witcher 4 is progressing steadily. According to CD Projekt’s Q3 2024 financial update, the game—previously known as Project Polaris—has entered full production and is currently the most advanced among the studio’s ongoing projects.

Nielubowicz added, “Of all our projects, this one [Project Polaris/The Witcher 4] is currently the most far along, and we're starting the most intensive phase of development. I wish to thank the team for its effort and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for further progress.”

Originally announced in 2022 as Project Polaris, the game was officially unveiled during The Game Awards 2024 with a cinematic trailer that captivated fans worldwide. The Witcher IV, as it will be stylized, marks a major shift in the series by introducing Ciri—Geralt of Rivia’s adoptive daughter—as the new protagonist. Now older and more experienced, she steps into the spotlight, continuing the legacy of monster hunting in her own right.

According to CD Projekt’s earlier announcements on X (formerly Twitter) from October 2022, The Witcher 4 kicks off a brand-new trilogy. The next two titles, internally referred to as Project Canis Majoris and Project Orion, are expected to follow within six years of The Witcher 4's eventual release.