Summary
- CD Projekt Red's team for The Witcher 4, codenamed Polaris, has 403 developers ready for production.
- The new Witcher trilogy will be built on Unreal Engine 5, promising fresh gameplay elements.
- Following the massive success with Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt RED has plans for multiple titles in the Witcher saga.
CD Projekt Red revealed its development team assigned to The Witcher 4 (codename Polaris) has a current roster of 403 developers, exceeding the target size and entering the production phase. While still in pre-production, the new mainline Witcher game is poised to enter full production in the second half of the year.
The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new saga in the Witcher universe and is part of a planned trilogy of AAA RPG games. The Witcher 4 will be built on Unreal Engine 5, a departure from the RED Engine used in previous titles. Pre-production is underway, but the release date is at least three years away, with the studio emphasizing the need for extra effort due to technological advancements and engine transition. While the official title is yet to be announced, it's commonly referred to as The Witcher 4 until further details emerge.
During CD Projekt's fiscal year 2023 earnings conference, interesting revelations surfaced regarding the highly awaited Witcher 4 known internally as Polaris. It was disclosed that the game has now become the focal point of the company's development efforts, set to transition into full-fledged production by the latter half of the year. Particularly noteworthy is the progress achieved by the Polaris development team, which currently boasts a roster of 403 developers, surpassing the anticipated size required for the production phase.
CD Projekt's Fiscal Year 2023 Earnings Conference
Although the Witcher 4 director had previously hinted at a potential return of Geralt, CD Projekt stressed that fans shouldn't expect just “The Witcher 3 in new clothing” with Polaris. While the game certainly builds upon the established framework and learns from past experiences, it will introduce novel gameplay elements and mechanics absent in previous Witcher installments. Additionally, CD Projekt has provided updates on other Witcher projects in development. The Witcher game Sirius is currently in the early pre-production phase. Meanwhile, Canis Majoris, a Witcher remake by Fool's Theory, remains in the conceptual stage, awaiting further development.
Furthermore, CD Projekt RED disclosed that since its release, the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise, including the expansion Phantom Liberty, has generated an impressive $752 million. Notably, the team dedicated to maintaining the game has been significantly reduced to 17 developers, reflecting the improved state of Cyberpunk 2077, which the company expressed satisfaction with. Despite the challenges faced by Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt reported its second-best year ever in terms of revenue for 2023, marking the second consecutive year of growth.
CD Projekt Red is demonstrating significant dedication to expanding the Witcher saga, with promises of multiple titles in the franchise. Although the release date for The Witcher 4 is projected to be at least three years away, anticipation steadily builds as fans eagerly await further updates on this title.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.
PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRE
Trained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.
Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.
EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLD
Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Expansions
- The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
- Franchise
- The Witcher
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
