The Witcher 4 is becoming one of the most anticipated RPGs of the next few years, and CD Projekt RED has now provided several important updates about the project’s development.

The studio has confirmed a planned 2028 release window, while also revealing that the game is already running on its target platforms during development.

For fans waiting to see what comes next after The Witcher 3, these details provide a clearer picture of CD Projekt RED’s plans.

The Witcher 4 Is Planned for 2028

The biggest recent update is the release window.

CD Projekt RED confirmed in September 2026 that The Witcher 4 is planned for release in 2028. The company included the game in its long-term publishing schedule for The Witcher franchise.

This means players should not expect the new RPG to arrive in 2026 or 2027.

Before The Witcher 4 arrives, CD Projekt RED is planning additional content for the franchise, including the The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered and the upcoming Songs of the Past expansion.

Ciri Will Be the Main Protagonist

One of the biggest changes in the new game is its protagonist.

Ciri will take over as the main character in The Witcher 4, following Geralt’s story in The Witcher 3. CD Projekt RED has described the upcoming game as the beginning of a new saga.

Ciri’s abilities, history and connection to the Witcher universe give the developers a different foundation for the next chapter.

The company has not yet revealed the complete story, meaning many details about Ciri’s new journey remain under wraps.

The Game Is Already Running on PS5, Xbox and PC

CD Projekt RED has also revealed an interesting detail about the technical development of The Witcher 4.

According to joint CEO Michał Nowakowski, the game can already be launched on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X during development.

This does not mean that the game is close to release.

Instead, it shows that the studio is testing the game across its target hardware much earlier in the development process.

Nowakowski explained that this approach is different from the development process used for Cyberpunk 2077, which was heavily focused on PC during development.

CD Projekt RED Is Changing Its Development Approach

The lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077 appear to have influenced how CD Projekt RED is developing its next major RPG.

The studio has said that it wants to ensure its games are working across platforms throughout development rather than leaving console optimization until much later.

That means performance on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S is being considered as part of the development process.

The goal is to avoid a situation where one platform becomes the primary technical target while other versions fall behind.

The Witcher 4 Is Using Unreal Engine 5

Another major change is the technology behind the game.

Instead of using CD Projekt RED’s proprietary REDengine, The Witcher 4 is being developed with Unreal Engine 5.

CD Projekt RED has explained that the decision was not simply a reaction to the technical problems surrounding Cyberpunk 2077. According to the studio, the company wanted to focus more heavily on creating games and stories rather than maintaining its own engine technology.

The studio also established a close partnership with Epic Games around Unreal Engine 5.

This collaboration is intended to help adapt the technology for large-scale open-world RPG development.

The New Game Will Start Another Witcher Saga

The Witcher 4 is not being positioned as another direct continuation of Geralt’s story.

Instead, CD Projekt RED has described the project as the beginning of a new saga within The Witcher universe.

Ciri’s role allows the studio to explore different parts of the world and introduce new characters, conflicts and locations.

The developer has not yet revealed the complete structure of the new trilogy, so many long-term details remain unknown.

The Witcher Universe Is Expanding Before The Witcher 4

CD Projekt RED is not waiting until 2028 to release new Witcher content.

The company has announced a major lineup covering several years.

First, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered is scheduled to launch on September 29, 2026.

The remastered version will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and, for the first time, as a native version on Nintendo Switch 2. Owners of the base game can receive the remaster as a free upgrade.

Then, in 2027, Geralt will return for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past, a new expansion being developed with Fool’s Theory.

After that, The Witcher 4 is currently planned for 2028.

Songs of the Past Will Bridge the Gap

The upcoming Songs of the Past expansion is particularly interesting because it brings Geralt back before Ciri takes over as the protagonist of The Witcher 4.

The expansion is set in the new realm of Letten, where Geralt becomes involved in a new mystery.

CD Projekt RED showed gameplay from the expansion at gamescom 2026, giving players the first extended look at the new adventure.

The expansion is planned for 2027.

What We Know About The Witcher 4 So Far

Here are the main confirmed details:

• Title: The Witcher 4
• Developer: CD Projekt RED
• Planned release: 2028
• Main protagonist: Ciri
• Engine: Unreal Engine 5
• Platforms being tested: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X
• Type: Single-player RPG
• Story: Beginning of a new Witcher saga
• Geralt: Returning to the universe through Songs of the Past
• The Witcher 3 Remastered: September 29, 2026
• Songs of the Past: 2027

The final platforms and complete release details for The Witcher 4 have not yet been announced.

More Details Could Still Take Time

Although CD Projekt RED has revealed important information about development, the studio is still keeping most of The Witcher 4 under wraps.

The 2028 window means there is still considerable development time ahead.

More gameplay, characters, locations and story details could be revealed as the project progresses, but fans should not expect every major detail to be announced immediately.

The Witcher 4 Is Still a Long Way Away

The latest information makes one thing clear: The Witcher 4 is progressing, but its release is still several years away.

The fact that the game is already running on target hardware gives players an interesting look at CD Projekt RED’s development process, while the 2028 release window establishes a much clearer timeline.

With Ciri taking the lead and Unreal Engine 5 powering the project, the next Witcher saga is shaping up to be a significant new chapter for the franchise.

The Witcher 4 is currently planned for 2028, with Ciri becoming the protagonist of CD Projekt RED’s next major Witcher saga.