Could The Witcher 4 Be Targeting the PS6 and Next-Gen Xbox, Given It Won't Be Out Until 2027 at the Earliest?

Don't hold your breath for The Witcher 4. According to developers at CD Projekt, the game won't be released until 2027 at the earliest.

In a financial call discussing future profit projections, CD Projekt stated: "Even though we do not plan to release The Witcher 4 by the end of 2026, we are still driven by this financial goal. And although it's very ambitious, we stand a chance of achieving it within the given timeframe."

This statement rules out a launch in the current year, which few expected, and next year, which some had hoped for, setting 2027 as the earliest release date for The Witcher 4. However, given the unpredictable nature of the video game industry, a 2028 release remains a possibility.

With a release no earlier than 2027, *The Witcher 4* might be targeting the next generation of consoles. Sony is likely working on plans for the PlayStation 6, while Microsoft is rumored to be aiming for a 2027 release for its Xbox Series X successor and an Xbox handheld. Could *The Witcher 4* be a cross-gen game, similar to *Cyberpunk 2077* at its December 2020 launch?

If it is a cross-gen title, with versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, could it also work on the Nintendo Switch 2? While it seems unlikely, The Witcher 3 did make its way to the Switch, proving that surprises can happen.

Here's what we know: The Witcher 4 is the first in a new trilogy of Witcher games set after the events of The Witcher 3. This time, Ciri takes the lead as the protagonist instead of Geralt.

Speaking exclusively to IGN ahead of the The Witcher 4 reveal, executive producer Małgorzata Mitręga explained the choice of Ciri as the protagonist: "It was always about her, starting from the Saga when you read it in the books. She's an amazing, layered character. And of course, as a protagonist, we said goodbye to Geralt previously. So this is a continuation. I guess for all of us, it's like she was meant to be. That was always her."

The Witcher IV Game Awards Trailer Screenshots

51 ImagesIn January, during an interview with IGN about Netflix's upcoming animated film, The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep, Geralt voice actor Doug Cockle supported CD Projekt's decision to shift the focus to Ciri, even though it means Geralt will take a back seat.

"I'm really excited," he said. "I think it's a really good move. I mean, I always thought that continuing the Saga, but shifting to Ciri would be a really, really interesting move for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because of things that happen in the books, which I don't want to give away because people, I want people to go read. So yeah, I think it's really exciting. I can't wait. I can't wait to see what they've done."

In February, the director of The Witcher 4 clarified that a new video featured the same in-game model of Ciri, addressing speculation about changes to her appearance.

For more exclusive content on The Witcher 4, check out our trailer breakdown and an interview with CD Projekt, where the developer discusses how they plan to avoid a Cyberpunk 2077-style launch disaster.