The Witcher 4 Won’t Just Retread the Last Game, Adding New Features and Mechanics

During their annual earnings call, CD Projekt RED discussed The Witcher 4 (code named Polaris) multiple times, which was not surprising. In his address to investors (and any fans who may have been listening), new Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski shared that The Witcher 4 will surpass the enormous success of its predecessor by incorporating new and innovative gameplay elements.

When it comes to taking risks with innovative elements, creating a new game is always a challenge. This is especially true for us as we strive to break new ground and venture into uncharted territory, something we have never attempted before. While I cannot delve into specifics without discussing the game itself, I can say that it is not simply a rehash of “The Witcher 3”. We are building upon our previous experiences and knowledge, but we are also incorporating new gameplay elements and mechanics that have never been seen in our games before. It is always a risk to take on such endeavors, rather than simply repeating what has been done in the past.

Despite their previous goal of surpassing current RPGs and delivering a more immersive blend of gameplay and storytelling, it may have been difficult to envision CD Projekt RED repurposing The Witcher 3 over a decade later. However, receiving explicit confirmation is always reassuring. As for what their plans may entail, it remains uncertain – perhaps the next installment will focus more on simulating an expansive world rather than following traditional game mechanics.

The Witcher 4 is currently in pre-production and is expected to begin production later this year. Despite having a team of over 400 developers working on the game, it may still be a while before its release. Investors attempted to estimate the production timeline by citing the industry average of 2-3 years, but Michał Nowakowski was not willing to disclose any release plans at this time. If we had to make an educated guess, the game may be released no earlier than late 2027.

In the latest news from CD Projekt RED, the company has reaffirmed their stance against implementing microtransactions in single player games. According to current information, The Witcher 4 (unlike the spin-off known as Sirius being developed by Molasses Flood) will be a single player game and therefore, it is not expected to include any microtransactions.