Don't hold your breath for The Witcher 4. According to CD Projekt, the game won't be released until 2027 at the earliest. In 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 statement effectively rules out a launch in 2024 or 2025, setting 2027 as the earliest possible release year. However, given the unpredictable nature of the video game industry, a 2028 release seems within the realm of possibility.

The projected release window of 2027 suggests that The Witcher 4 might be developed with next-generation consoles in mind. Sony is likely already planning the PlayStation 6, and rumors suggest Microsoft is targeting a 2027 release for the successor to the Xbox Series X, along with an Xbox handheld. It raises the question: Will The Witcher 4 be a cross-gen title like Cyberpunk 2077 was at its December 2020 release? If it is, could it potentially be compatible with the rumored Nintendo Switch 2? While it seems unlikely, the fact that The Witcher 3 made it to the original Switch shows that surprises can happen.

Here's what we know so far: The Witcher 4 is the first installment in a new trilogy set after the events of The Witcher 3. Notably, Ciri takes center stage as the protagonist, stepping into the role previously occupied by Geralt. In an exclusive interview with IGN before the reveal of The Witcher 4, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained the choice of Ciri as the lead, stating, "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."

In January, as part of a broader discussion about Netflix's upcoming 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. He remarked, "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 featured the same in-game model of Ciri, dispelling rumors that her appearance had changed.

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For more exclusive content on The Witcher 4, including a trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt detailing their efforts to avoid a launch disaster similar to Cyberpunk 2077, keep an eye on our coverage.