Witcher 4 Aimed for PS6 and Next-Gen Xbox by 2027

Don't hold your breath for The Witcher 4. According to the developers at CD Projekt, the earliest we can expect its release is 2027.

During a financial call discussing 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 announcement confirms that a launch in 2024 is out of the question, dashing the hopes of some who anticipated it might come out 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, a 2028 release seems plausible if delays occur.

If The Witcher 4 is indeed a cross-gen title, compatible with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, could it also work on the Nintendo Switch 2? While it might seem unlikely, The Witcher 3's eventual release on the Switch shows that surprises can happen.

Here's what we know about The Witcher 4: It's the first installment in a new trilogy of Witcher games set after the events of The Witcher 3. This time, rather than Geralt, Ciri takes the lead as the protagonist.

In an exclusive interview with IGN before the reveal of The Witcher 4, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained why Ciri was chosen as the protagonist: "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."

The Witcher IV Game Awards Trailer Screenshots

51 ImagesIn January, speaking to 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 focus on Ciri: "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."

In February, the director of The Witcher 4 clarified that a new video featured the same in-game model of Ciri, addressing concerns about her appearance.

For more exclusive content on The Witcher 4, check out our trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt, where they discuss how they plan to avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch disaster.