In a recent announcement, CD Projekt has confirmed that long-awaited game "Wiedźmin 4," also known as Project Polaris, has officially entered full-scale production.
However, fans hoping to play the new installment will have to wait until at least 2027 for its release. Piotr Nielubowicz, the CFO of CD Projekt, stated during a financial results presentation on March 25, 2025, that "Wiedźmin 4" will not be released before the conclusion of an incentive program ending on December 31, 2026. Nielubowicz made it clear that the developers at CD Projekt Red would need a minimum of two more years of work before this title hits the shelves.
Interestingly, the game has garnered significant attention following its reveal at the recent Game Awards, where the first trailer sparked excitement among fans and media alike. Co-CEO Michał Nowakowski highlighted the announcement of Ciri as the main protagonist, saying, “The world of Wiedźmin still holds many stories to tell.” This announcement has stirred intense interest as players look forward to new adventures in the beloved fantasy universe.
CD Projekt’s financial performance has also been a focal point of recent discussions. In their latest report, the company revealed a consolidated net profit of 469.87 million złoty ($110 million) for the year 2024, showing a slight decrease from 481.11 million złoty the previous year. Despite this, the results were significantly better than analysts' expectations, making it the third-highest annual profit in the company’s history.
Sales revenues for CD Projekt reached 985.03 million złoty in 2024, down from 1.23 billion złoty in 2023. These figures mainly stemmed from the continued success of the "Cyberpunk 2077" franchise, which has seen substantial sales volumes, surpassing 30 million copies sold for the base game alone, as confirmed by Nowakowski.
During the financial conference, Nielubowicz confirmed the breakdown of resources allocated to their various projects, revealing that 411 developers are currently dedicated to "Wiedźmin 4," while 84 are assigned to "Cyberpunk: Orion," and 49 working on Project Sirius, with smaller teams also engaged in different ventures.
In addition to "Wiedźmin 4," CD Projekt is also developing a remake of the original "Wiedźmin" game, which will be released after the new installment. The excitement surrounding the remake speaks volumes about the franchise's enduring popularity among gamers.
Despite the focus on these larger projects, the announcement also underscored the ongoing struggles some of CD Projekt’s titles have faced. Jason Schreier, a Bloomberg journalist, recently echoed doubts regarding both "Wiedźmin 4" and another title, "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet," suggesting that neither game is expected to release in 2025. He referred to the trailers shown at The Game Awards as “very early teases,” advising not to expect these games until much later.
The recently announced incentive program for 2024-2027, which has a profit target of 3 billion złoty, further emphasizes the challenges ahead for CD Projekt. Nielubowicz remarked that achieving such ambitious targets without major releases would be difficult, suggesting that significant sales from "Wiedźmin 4" would be paramount for future success.
Despite hurdles, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic. The continued interest in the "Wiedźmin" series and the popularity of the "Cyberpunk" franchise indicates a strong foundational fan base, setting the stage for future growth opportunities. With the recent success in profits, even if down compared to past performances, and the dedicated teams behind flagship projects, CD Projekt aims to navigate through these challenges successfully.
In conclusion, while fans eagerly await the return of "Wiedźmin 4" and the promise of new worlds to explore, the path to the release is fraught with delays and hurdles. Nevertheless, the team's dedication to crafting a title worthy of its legacy inspires hope for many players worldwide.
