The Witcher 4, codenamed Project Polaris, is currently in development at CD Projekt Red and marks the beginning of an all-new trilogy set in the acclaimed fantasy universe.
But this installment isn’t simply a continuation, it represents a bold new direction for the franchise. With a broader scope, a reimagined focus, and a richly expanded world to explore, Project Polaris aims to redefine what fans can expect from The Witcher saga moving forward.
However, a new rumor states that CD Projekt Red isn't quite finished with The Witcher 3 yet.
Via Gamerant, the rumor states that a third major DLC expansion for The Witcher 3 is planned for 2026, which will tie-in to the plot of The Witcher 4.
In the upcoming installment, Ciri will be the main playable character, as the franchise moves on from Geralt of Rivia.
Players will follow her journey as she begins her path as a witcher, utilizing her unique magical abilities and forging her own destiny. While Geralt is confirmed to still appear, the narrative spotlight will firmly be on Ciri's "open, curious, and drawn to people" nature, promising new storytelling avenues where relationships are as vital as combat.
Confirmed details include the fact that the game will plunge players into a single-player, open-world RPG set in the previously unexplored region of Kovir on the Continent. Gwent is also confirmed to be returning.
Additionally, CD Projekt Red is building The Witcher 4 on Unreal Engine 5 after using REDengine 3, an engine developed by CD Projekt Red.
The tone is described as a more brutal dark-fantasy world, with a recent tech demo hinting at perilous landscapes and challenging encounters.
The Witcher 4 officially moved into full production in November 2024, with CD Projekt Red adopting a “console-first” development strategy aimed at ensuring a polished and stable launch and to ensure 60FPS stability, an approach clearly informed by lessons learned from Cyberpunk 2077.
In an interview with Digital Foundry, the developers stated, "I will say that 60 FPS will definitely be extremely challenging on the Series S, let’s just say that this something that we need to to figure out."
Although a specific release date has yet to be confirmed, industry insiders anticipate the game will debut sometime between late 2026 and mid-2027.
Are you excited by the possibility of one last Witcher 3 DLC? Do you plan on purchasing The Witcher 4 on day one? Let us know in the comment section below.