In a recent update from CD Projekt Red, the renowned game development studio shed light on the anticipated release timeline for its upcoming Witcher game, suggesting fans may have to exercise patience until at least 2026. The disclosure follows the tumultuous release of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020, marking a period of highs and lows for the company.
Despite the challenges faced with Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red managed to regain industry confidence through diligent efforts, including multiple patches for Cyberpunk 2077 and a next-gen upgrade for The Witcher 3. The success of the recent Cyberpunk 2077 DLC has now shifted the spotlight to the development of the next instalment in The Witcher series.
Following an interview with Reuters, CD Projekt Red’s CEO, Adam Badowski, revealed the studio’s intention to initiate the production phase of the next Witcher trilogy in 2024. With half of the CD Projekt Red development team currently engrossed in Project Polaris, Badowski expressed the goal of expanding the workforce to around 400 individuals by mid-2024. While a specific release window is yet to be confirmed, industry analysts speculate a potential debut in either 2026 or 2027, contingent upon the progress made in the game’s production throughout the year.
In parallel, CD Projekt Red is not solely fixated on The Witcher universe; the studio is allocating resources to Project Orion, the anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. Having declared that Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty would be the final add-on to the original game, CD Projekt Red is gradually assembling an 80-strong team dedicated to shaping the future of the Cyberpunk franchise by the close of 2024. Although Project Orion remains in its conceptual phase, it stands as a testament to the studio’s commitment to evolving the Cyberpunk narrative.
Beyond the Witcher and Cyberpunk realms, CD Projekt Red has laid the groundwork for two other Witcher games—codenamed Sirius and Canis Majoris. Project Sirius promises a fresh Witcher experience with multiplayer and co-op elements, while Canis Majoris is poised to be an open-world reimagination of the original Witcher game. Expanding its horizons further, the studio is embarking on a new intellectual property (IP) distinct from both Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher, although details on this mysterious venture are yet to be unveiled.
While the release of CD Projekt Red’s next title may be a distant prospect, the prospect of a suite of new games, including a Witcher multiplayer experience and a reimagination of the iconic open-world RPG, is sufficient to sustain the excitement of fans in the years to come. As CD Projekt Red continues to navigate the dynamic landscape of the gaming industry, enthusiasts can only anticipate the unveiling of these ambitious projects with bated breath.
