CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that the next major installment in The Witcher franchise is in active development, offering fans a first glimpse into what’s next for one of gaming’s most beloved fantasy worlds. Simply referred to as The Witcher 4 for now, the new entry is poised to usher in a bold new era for the series — one that places Ciri, Geralt’s adopted daughter and fan-favorite character, at the forefront.
While details remain closely guarded, the studio revealed that this next chapter will serve as the beginning of a new saga within the Witcher universe. According to early reports, The Witcher 4 will mark a narrative and technological leap forward for CD Projekt Red, moving away from the aging REDengine used in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and embracing Unreal Engine 5 for the first time. This transition promises a richer open-world experience, with enhanced environmental detail, dynamic weather systems, and next-generation character animations.
Ciri’s rise as the lead protagonist is both a natural evolution and a fan-pleasing decision. In The Witcher 3, her story was one of destiny, survival, and independence, resonating deeply with players. By centering the next game on her journey, CD Projekt Red appears ready to explore the consequences of her immense power and the weight of her choices in a war-torn Continent still recovering from chaos. Fans speculate that the narrative will delve into her role as a potential witcher in her own right, exploring themes of legacy, identity, and leadership in a world teetering on the brink of ruin.
The studio has hinted that The Witcher 4 will not be a direct continuation of Geralt’s tale, but rather a new narrative arc that builds upon the foundations of his adventures. Geralt of Rivia’s story, which concluded satisfyingly in Wild Hunt, may still influence the plot through flashbacks or cameos, but the focus will now shift toward new characters and factions. Reports suggest that CD Projekt Red is also aiming to evolve the combat system, combining the fluid swordplay of Wild Hunt with more responsive magic mechanics to better represent Ciri’s teleportation and time-manipulation abilities.
Development on The Witcher 4 has reportedly been underway since 2023, with pre-production milestones completed earlier this year. While no release window has been announced, CD Projekt Red has emphasized that lessons learned from the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077 will guide the project’s development process. The company is prioritizing quality assurance, internal testing, and transparency to avoid the pitfalls of past releases.
Fans can expect a world that feels both familiar and entirely new. The Continent’s politics, monsters, and magic are all set to evolve alongside its next generation of heroes. With Unreal Engine 5’s power and a renewed focus on narrative depth, The Witcher 4 could redefine what players expect from an open-world RPG. For longtime followers of the series, the idea of stepping into Ciri’s boots marks not just a continuation, but a rebirth — one that could solidify The Witcher as gaming’s most enduring fantasy saga.
