CD Projekt RED Officially Begins Development of "The Witcher 4"

CD Projekt RED has confirmed the start of active development for a new game in The Witcher universe. The project, codenamed Polaris, promises to be a major event in the gaming world, rivaling the scale and quality of hits like Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077.

What Do We Know About the New Chapter?

The announcement for The Witcher 4 took place back in March 2022. After completing work on the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 in 2023, the CD Projekt RED team shifted its full focus to Polaris. By October 2024, the developers moved to the active production phase.

Around 400 specialists are currently working on the project, with the development expected to take more than three years. Polaris will serve as the first part of a new trilogy, which the developers plan to complete within six years after the release of the first game.

Technical Features and New Mechanics of The Witcher 4

The Witcher 4 is being developed on Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant shift for CD Projekt RED, which previously relied on its proprietary REDengine. The change was motivated by challenges in updating the older engine and the desire to utilize cutting-edge technologies.

Players can expect an open world with enhanced gameplay mechanics and new elements that weren’t present in the earlier installments of the series. The announcement featured an image of a medallion, speculated to belong to the School of the Lynx, sparking intense discussions among fans.

Who Will Be the Main Character in The Witcher 4?

Preliminary information suggests that Geralt will not be the central character in Polaris, though his appearance in the game has been confirmed by voice actor Doug Cockle. Among the most likely protagonists is Ciri, whose story might unfold further after the events of Wild Hunt. Some fans speculate she could even become the Empress of Nilfgaard.

Additional Projects in the Universe

In addition to Polaris, CD Projekt RED is working on several other Witcher projects. Industry veterans at Fool’s Theory are developing a remake of the first Witcher game, while the multiplayer spin-off, codenamed Sirius, is being created by The Molasses Flood team.

The new Witcher title has already generated immense excitement among fans of the series. With modern technology, ambitious plans, and fresh storylines, Polaris could become one of the most anticipated releases of the coming years. Now, we await the first details and gameplay showcases.