CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 4 has entered full production, marking a major milestone for the highly anticipated RPG. The announcement was made through the company's official social media channels and investor communications, confirming that the project has moved beyond the pre-production phase.
CD PROJEKT recorded the full-scale production milestone in its official FY 2024 earnings summary.
The Witcher 4, currently known by its code name Polaris, is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, a departure from the studio's proprietary REDengine used for The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red has stated that the engine switch will allow for more advanced open world technology and improved development efficiency.
What Is Confirmed
CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 4 is the start of a new saga, meaning it will not directly continue the story of Geralt of Rivia. The game will introduce a new protagonist and take place in a previously unexplored region of the Witcher universe. The developer has also stated that the project is being led by a team of over 400 developers, making it the studio's largest production to date.
Unannounced Details
Several details about The Witcher 4 remain unannounced. CD Projekt Red has not revealed the identity of the new protagonist, the setting, or a release window. The studio has also not confirmed whether the game will be a single-platform release or launch simultaneously on PC and consoles. No gameplay footage or screenshots have been shown publicly.
What This Means for Players
The full production milestone signals that CD Projekt Red is past the experimental and design phase and is now actively building the final game. Based on typical development timelines for AAA RPGs of this scale, a release is likely several years away. Players who want to revisit the Witcher universe in the meantime can play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which continues to receive updates and mod support on PC.
What This Means
For fans of the series, the full production announcement is a positive signal that the project is progressing on schedule. The use of Unreal Engine 5 raises the expectation for visual fidelity and world detail. The departure from Geralt story means players will experience the Witcher world through fresh eyes, which could bring new gameplay mechanics and narrative styles.
CD Projekt Red has multiple projects in development alongside The Witcher 4, including a Witcher spin-off and a new IP codenamed Hadar. The company has shifted to Unreal Engine 5 for all future projects, moving away from its proprietary REDengine that powered The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.
