The Witcher 4 Release Update Confirms the Wait Just Got Longer
CD Projekt Red just doused hopes for The Witcher 4, signaling in a Q3 2025 earnings call Q&A that the release is farther off than fans expected as teams shift and early work on Cyberpunk 2 ramps up.
If you were quietly hoping The Witcher 4 might sneak into 2026, go ahead and cross that off the calendar. CD Projekt Red just set expectations during its Q3 2025 earnings Q&A. The game is moving, the trilogy plan is bold, but the next Witcher won't be a 2026 thing.
What CDPR actually said
On the call's Q&A, CEO Michal Nowakowski and CFO Piotr Nielubowicz fielded questions about both The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, plus how the studio is organizing its teams. Nowakowski confirmed Witcher 4 is in full-scale production, but he didn't bite on specifics about the schedule or any technical/design risks that could shift it.
"The only thing we're commenting is that we're not launching in 2026."
Not what fans wanted to hear, obviously, but that wasn't the only takeaway.
The trilogy plan (the part that raised eyebrows)
Nowakowski said the studio still intends to ship the new Witcher trilogy within a six-year span. Translation: the gaps between Witcher 4, Witcher 5, and Witcher 6 are meant to be shorter than we're used to. Ambitious, but that's the stated plan.
No new Game Awards splash this year
The first Witcher 4 trailer debuted back at The Game Awards 2024. This year, the game is up for Most Anticipated Game, and Nowakowski thanked fans on X while making it clear there won't be fresh footage or reveals at TGA 2025. So, nomination yes, new content no.
The basics, all in one place
- Status: full-scale production; no release date or window yet; specifically not launching in 2026.
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.
- Timeline: set after The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with a brand-new story.
- Lead character: Ciri takes the spotlight.
- Geralt: appears in a supporting role; Doug Cockle returns to voice him.
- Ciri's voice: Ciara Berkeley takes over from Jo Wyatt (who voiced Ciri in The Witcher 3).
- Roadmap: CDPR aims to release the entire new Witcher trilogy within six years, meaning shorter gaps between entries.
- Housekeeping from the call: the Q3 2025 Q&A also covered team planning and took questions on Cyberpunk 2.
Short version: Witcher 4 is deep in production, the 2026 window is off the board, and CDPR is talking about a faster cadence for the trilogy. Just don't expect any new footage at this year's Game Awards.