Highlights
- 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.
The Witcher 4 Could Get a Lot Out of Making One Sharp Turn in its Story
The new Witcher trilogy, starting with Polaris, has a unique opportunity to completely refresh one key component of the world of The Witcher.
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 “TheWitcher 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
The Witcher 3 is the third major installment in the Witcher series. In this game, players once again take up the mantle of Geralt, a monster hunter who roams the open world taking on contracts. For this entry, the major plot follows the disappearance of Ciri, Geralt’s ward, and his attempts to find her.
- Released
- May 19, 2015
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Expansions
- The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone , The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
