- CD Projekt RED confirms that The Witcher 4 has entered full-scale production.
- The game will be developed with Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant change from previous installments.
- The new installment will not have Geralt of Rivia as its protagonist, starting a new trilogy in the Witcher universe.
- The Witcher 4 is expected to be released within 1-2 years after the presentation of its first official trailer.
The Witcher 4, the next major installment of the acclaimed CD Projekt RED saga, has taken a decisive step in its development. After years of waiting, the Polish studio confirms that the project, known internally as Project Polaris, has entered full-scale production, indicating that its initial conception has been completed and the team is now focusing on the actual development of the game.
The announcement came from Sebastian Kalemba, project director, who expressed his enthusiasm on social media by stating that they are working to create an extraordinary experience. In addition, CD Projekt highlighted that they currently have more than 400 developers dedicated exclusively to Polaris, an impressive number that underlines the magnitude of this new chapter in the Witcher universe.
A new graphics engine for a new era
One of the most exciting new features for this release is the use of the Unreal Engine 5, leaving behind the proprietary REDengine that was used in previous titles. This change will not only allow significant graphical improvements, but also a more stable and efficient development, avoiding numerous technical problems that the team faced with the previous engine.
The move to Unreal Engine 5 is part of a strategic alliance with Epic Games. According to statements from members of the studio, this graphics engine will simplify development processes and allow the creation of a more immersive world and with a higher level of detail, something that fans are eagerly awaiting.
Goodbye, Geralt: a new protagonist on the horizon
One of the boldest decisions CD Projekt has made for this new installment is to move away from the iconic Geralt of Rivia as the main protagonist. Although Geralt is expected to have some kind of role in the story, this new saga will focus on a completely different character. Many rumors point to Characteristic, especially for the medallion of the Lynx School which was shown in the game's teaser, a school that until now was not part of the established canon.
This choice promises to bring a new perspective and freshness to the Witcher universe. Fans of the series speculate that, as in the previous books and games, Ciri could take on a leading role with unique mechanics and unique abilities, adapted to their style of combat and magic.
When will we see The Witcher 4?
CD Projekt has learned from the mistakes made with Cyberpunk 2077 and has opted for a more measured approach this time around. Michał Nowakowski, the company's CEO, assured that there will be no repeat of the protracted marketing strategy that wore out fans in the past. In this regard, it has been pointed out that The Witcher 4 will be released between one and two years after the publication of its official trailer.
This means that, although the team is already immersed in full-scale development, it could still be some time before we see concrete gameplay footage. However, the anticipation for its debut is huge, especially considering that it will be the start of a new trilogy, as confirmed by the study itself.
The development of The Witcher 4 is moving forward at a good pace, with an ambitious team and cutting-edge resources that promise to live up to fans’ expectations. With Unreal Engine 5 as its foundation, a revamped cast, and an enhanced marketing strategy, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this next chapter in the Witcher universe.
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