The Witcher 4: Aiming for PS6 and Next-Gen Xbox Release by 2027

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 recent 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 any possibility of a launch in 2024 or 2025, setting 2027 as the soonest fans can expect to see the game. However, given the unpredictable nature of the video game industry, a 2028 release remains a possibility.

With a release date set for 2027 or later, The Witcher 4 might be designed with next-generation consoles in mind. Sony is likely working on its PlayStation 6, while Microsoft is rumored to be planning a 2027 release for a successor to the Xbox Series X and possibly an Xbox handheld. There's also the question of whether The Witcher 4 will be a cross-gen game, similar to Cyberpunk 2077, which launched on both current and last-gen consoles in December 2020. If it is, could it also be compatible with the rumored Nintendo Switch 2? While it seems unlikely, it's worth noting that The Witcher 3 did make its way to the original Switch, showing that surprises can happen.

Here's what we know about The Witcher 4: it's the first game in a new trilogy set after the events of The Witcher 3. This time, instead of Geralt, Ciri will be the protagonist. In an exclusive interview with IGN ahead of the game's reveal, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained the choice, saying, "It was always about her, starting from the 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, during a broader interview with IGN 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 shift the focus to Ciri. He said, "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 looking different.

The Witcher IV Game Awards Trailer Screenshots

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For more insights into The Witcher 4, check out our exclusive trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt, where they discuss why The Witcher 4 will avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch disaster.