Full Breakdown
CD Projekt Red Sets 2028 Target for *The Witcher 4* and Previews 2027 Expansion
8/24/2026, 11:44:17 PM
Core Announcement: 2028 Release Window
Joint CEO Michal Nowakowski announced that *The Witcher 4* will not be shown at Gamescom 2026 and that the studio is “targeting a 2028 release window.” “While we’re not showing The Witcher 4 at the event, and we’re not ready to share an exact date, I can tell you this: The Witcher 4 is targeting a 2028 release window,” — Michal Nowakowski, joint CEO
Background & Context
The studio’s next main-line title follows the 2024 reveal at The Game Awards, which introduced Ciri as the new protagonist. To bridge the narrative gap, CD Projekt Red is delivering *Songs of the Past*, the third expansion for *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt*. The expansion is slated for 2027 and will be showcased during the Opening Night Live livestream on August 25. [Date Ledger – scheduled]
Development Scale and Vision
The project will feature a vast open world, intense combat, and a deep story, with Ciri leading the adventure. The studio is co-developing *Songs of the Past* with Fool’s Theory, veterans of the original *Witcher 3*.
Verbatim Quotes
- “First and foremost, we really wanted to deliver a great experience to the fans, a really cool expansion that's going to make people happy that they can come back to The Witcher 3 setting,” — Michal Nowakowski, joint CEO
- “We had a moment where our plans assumed that Songs of the Past would be released this year,” — Michal Nowakowski, joint CEO
- “Songs of the Past will be aligned with what you're familiar with in Blood and Wine, and what you've come to experience and expect from us when we do our expansions,” — Laura Beitzel, social media manager
Data & Statistics
- The development team comprises over 500 developers.
- *Songs of the Past* will add a new continent and new Gwent cards to *The Witcher 3*.
- The expansion is planned for release in 2027, with the mainline sequel slated for 2028.
Timeline
- May 4 (occurred): CD Projekt Red confirmed *The Witcher 4* will not appear at Gamescom 2026. [[Date Ledger]]
- August 25 (scheduled): Opening Night Live livestream will reveal *Songs of the Past* gameplay. [[Date Ledger]]
- 2027 (planned): Release of *Songs of the Past* expansion.
- 2028 (target): Planned launch window for *The Witcher 4*.
