Will The Witcher 4 Aim for PS6 and Next-Gen Xbox Due to 2027 Release?

Don't hold your breath for The Witcher 4. According to developers at CD Projekt, the game won't be released until 2027 at the earliest. 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 statement confirms that a launch in 2024 is off the table, dashing the hopes of some fans, and sets 2027 as the earliest possible release date. However, given the unpredictable nature of the video game industry, a 2028 release remains a possibility.

With a 2027 release, The Witcher 4 could be targeting the next generation of consoles. Sony is likely working on the PlayStation 6, and Microsoft is rumored to be planning a 2027 release for its Xbox Series X successor and an Xbox handheld. The question arises: will The Witcher 4 be a cross-gen title, like Cyberpunk 2077 was upon its release in December 2020? If so, could it also work on the Nintendo Switch 2? While it seems unlikely, The Witcher 3 did eventually make it to the Switch, proving that surprises can happen.

Here's what we know: The Witcher 4 is the first installment in a new trilogy of Witcher games, set after the events of The Witcher 3. This time, the protagonist shifts from Geralt to Ciri. In an exclusive interview with IGN before the reveal of The Witcher 4, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained that Ciri was "the very organic, logical choice."

"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."

The Witcher IV Game Awards Trailer Screenshots

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In January, during an 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, despite Geralt taking a backseat.

"I'm really excited," he said. "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 from some fans who thought her appearance had changed.

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.