Despite its recent reveal trailer, The Witcher 4 reportedly won't be available any time soon. Unveiled as a part of The Game Awards 2024, the next installment in CD Projekt Red's massive fantasy series is already generating a great deal of excitement despite some of its more controversial changes. The announcement trailer's lack of gameplay led many to believe the project was still in its infancy, but based on the latest report, development will take much longer than previously anticipated.
Over on ResetEra, reputable insider and journalist Jason Schreier claimed that The Witcher 4 won't be released in 2026, meaning the earliest possible release window is 2027. Schreier clarifies that his previous hints regarding The Witcher 4 suggested that the trailer that debuted at The Game Awards would be a "very early tease," doubling down on the game's suggested launch period. Schreier is widely regarded as one of the most trustworthy sources regarding reports, but it's still worth noting that game development is flexible and deadlines can change.
The Witcher 4's Announcement Feels Very Early
Especially With CDPR's History
The Witcher 4's early teaser trailer may have succeeded in building hype around the project, but many fans would have preferred for the game to be further along before it was revealed. Players have been quick to recall the fiasco surrounding Cyberpunk 2077, a game that was announced with a cinematic trailer almost a decade before it launched. When it did arrive, it was a buggy, broken mess, resulting in plenty of skepticism regarding the developer's next major project.
It's worth noting that despite Cyberpunk 2077's rocky release, CDPR did make up for it with years of updates that both fixed the base game and added a wealth of additional content. Whether or not The Witcher 4 experiences a similar fate remains to be seen, but fans are undoubtedly wary. Releasing beyond 2026 also means there's a chance the game will be available on the next console generation, only leading to more concerns about its development as a cross-gen project.
I'm Glad The Witcher 4 Isn't Going To Be Bigger Than The Witcher 3
In a recent interview, The Witcher 4's game director said that it will be about the same size as The Witcher 3, and I'm very happy about this news.
CDPR Has Hopefully Learned From Its Mistakes
The Witcher 4 Needs To Be A Return To Form
It's fair to say that possible successes or failures, but I find it frustrating that it was revealed so early. I understand that announcements are often used as a means of drumming up early and bringing in more staff, but it's nonetheless annoying to have to wait several years to see the product in action.
Source: ResetEra
