Fans of the beloved Wiedźmin franchise will have to brace themselves for an extended wait as CD Projekt Red, the game’s developer, has confirmed during a financial briefing that Wiedźmin 4 will not make its debut before the end of 2026. The announcement by the company’s CEO, Adam Kiciński, came during a webcast on March 26, 2025, where he reaffirmed their commitment to ambitious financial goals while revealing the current stage of the game’s development.
CD Projekt set an ambitious target of achieving a consolidated net profit of 2 billion PLN for the years 2023-2026. As of the latest report, the company has reached 951 million PLN, representing 48% of this goal. According to CFO Piotr Nielubowicz, "Cel na lata 2023-2026 został ustalony na poziomie 2 mld zł naszego skumulowanego zysku netto. Po dwóch pełnych latach zrealizowaliśmy 951 mln zł, co stanowi 48% celu.” This ambitious forecasting underscores the financial implications tied to their upcoming projects, including Wiedźmin 4.
The development of Wiedźmin 4 is progressing with approximately 400 developers currently engaged in its full production. Kiciński elaborated, saying, "Mimo że nie planujemy wydania Wiedźmina 4 do końca 2026 roku, wciąż dążymy do realizacji naszych celów finansowych.” This clearly indicates that the company is prioritizing quality and financial stability over hastily bringing the game to market.
The player will take on the role of Ciri, a monster hunter, in this new installment. Serving as both a continuation and a new saga within the Wiedźmin universe, the game's open-world format promises to deliver even more immersive experiences than its predecessors. It will utilize the advanced Unreal Engine 5, a sign of CD Projekt's commitment to enhancing gameplay and graphics.
This lengthy delay means that the release of Wiedźmin 4 will occur more than a decade after the critically acclaimed Wiedźmin 3: Dziki Gon, which initially set the standard for RPGs. While many fans are eager to see how Ciri is portrayed as the protagonist, the long wait raises significant questions: Will CD Projekt manage to meet the high expectations set by its legacy? And will the lessons learned from the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077 influence their approach to Wiedźmin 4?
As the gaming industry buzzes with anticipation, the success of Cyberpunk 2077 continues to cast a long shadow. The title has reportedly sold over 30 million copies as of November 2024, with its expansion, Phantom Liberty, exceeding 8 million in sales. Nielubowicz noted that “Obie nasze franczyzy mają za sobą znakomity rok,” indicating a strong performance even in the absence of a major new release this past year.
In summation, while the excitement surrounding Wiedźmin 4 builds, CD Projekt's strategy emphasizes careful planning and financial prudence. The company’s financial performance has been robust, with a reported net profit of 470 million PLN last year against revenues of 985 million PLN, which showcases the strength of its existing franchises. However, the announcement of a delayed launch for Wiedźmin 4 serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between meeting fan expectations and delivering a truly polished gaming experience.
Fans will need to remain patient, but with a dedicated team and ambitious goals in sight, the wait for Wiedźmin 4 may very well produce the next monumental entry in this iconic series.
