Will The Witcher 4 Target PS6 and Next-Gen Xbox, Aiming for a 2027 Release?

Don't hold your breath for The Witcher 4. According to CD Projekt, the much-anticipated sequel won't be hitting the shelves until 2027 at the earliest. During a financial call discussing future profit projections, the developers 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 announcement effectively dashes any hopes for a launch in 2024 or 2025, setting 2027 as the earliest possible release date. However, given the unpredictable nature of the video game industry, a 2028 release seems within the realm of possibility.

With a release date set for 2027 at the earliest, The Witcher 4 is likely to target the next generation of consoles. Sony is already rumored to be working on its PlayStation 6, while Microsoft is reportedly eyeing a 2027 launch for the successor to the Xbox Series X, alongside an Xbox handheld. The question remains whether The Witcher 4 will be a cross-gen title, much like Cyberpunk 2077 was at its December 2020 launch. If it does follow suit, could it also make its way to the Nintendo Switch 2? While it may seem improbable, remember that The Witcher 3 made it to the original Switch, showcasing that anything is possible.

Here's what we know so far: The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new trilogy set post-The Witcher 3, with Ciri stepping into the spotlight as the protagonist, rather than Geralt. In an exclusive interview with IGN ahead of the game's reveal, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained the decision to focus on Ciri: "It was always about her, starting from 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."

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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. "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 showcased the same in-game model of Ciri, dispelling any confusion about her appearance. For those eager for more details, IGN offers exclusive content including a trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt, where the developer discusses why The Witcher 4 will avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch disaster.