A New Saga Begins: The Witcher IV

The Witcher IV marks a decisive turning point for one of gaming’s most respected role-playing franchises. Officially confirmed by CD Projekt Red, the game represents the start of an entirely new Witcher saga rather than a continuation of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. With this shift, the studio is signaling a fresh creative direction that honors the series’ legacy while deliberately moving beyond it. For players and fans, The Witcher IV is not about revisiting the past, but about redefining what a Witcher game can be in the next generation.

One of the most important confirmed aspects of The Witcher IV is its narrative reset. CD Projekt Red has stated that Geralt of Rivia’s story is complete, concluding definitively with the Blood and Wine expansion. While Geralt remains central to the identity of the franchise, The Witcher IV introduces a new protagonist and opens the door to unexplored perspectives within the Continent. This approach allows the developers to tell stories unconstrained by previous endings, player choices, or established character arcs, creating a true new beginning for the series.

The reveal of The Witcher IV also confirmed that the game is the first entry in a planned new trilogy. Internally known as Project Polaris, the title is designed as the foundation of a long-term narrative arc. CD Projekt Red has publicly stated its intention to release all three games in this saga within a six-year period following the launch of the first installment. This structured plan reflects a shift toward tighter production management and long-term storytelling consistency, shaped by the studio’s recent development experiences.

Another major confirmed change is the technology powering The Witcher IV. CD Projekt Red has transitioned away from its proprietary REDengine in favor of Unreal Engine 5. This move represents a significant evolution in how the studio builds open worlds. Unreal Engine 5 provides advanced tools for lighting, world streaming, and environmental detail, which CD Projekt Red has confirmed will help improve performance, scalability, and development efficiency. The partnership with Epic Games is purely technological, and the studio has clarified that it does not affect platform availability or exclusivity.

The teaser image released with the announcement offers subtle but meaningful insight into the game’s direction. It features a Witcher medallion half-buried in snow that is clearly not the traditional wolf symbol associated with Geralt. CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that this medallion represents a different Witcher school. While the studio has not revealed which school it belongs to, this detail confirms that The Witcher IV will expand the lore rather than revisit familiar territory, reinforcing the idea of a new Witcher beginning both thematically and symbolically.

From a gameplay perspective, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher IV remains a single-player, story-driven role-playing game. Narrative depth, meaningful player choice, and immersive world-building continue to be core pillars of the experience. There has been no confirmation of multiplayer features or live-service mechanics for the main title, aligning The Witcher IV closely with the design philosophy that defined earlier entries in the series.

The Witcher IV is being developed as a next-generation title. While specific platforms have not been officially announced, the game is designed with modern hardware in mind, rather than supporting older console generations. This decision allows the development team to focus on more advanced systems, including denser environments, improved artificial intelligence, and more reactive worlds. According to CD Projekt Red, these improvements are essential to delivering a believable and dangerous fantasy setting worthy of a new saga.

The studio has also confirmed that lessons learned from the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 are directly influencing the development of The Witcher IV. CD Projekt Red has openly acknowledged past mistakes and emphasized a renewed focus on quality, stability, and realistic development timelines. This transparency has become part of the messaging surrounding Polaris, positioning The Witcher IV as both a creative rebirth and a technical recommitment to player trust.

At this stage, no release date or release window has been announced. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher IV is still in early development and that the studio will not rush the project. Any unofficial dates or rumors circulating online are not based on confirmed information. The developer has made it clear that it will share details only when they meet internal quality standards.

In essence, The Witcher IV represents more than just a sequel—it is a deliberate reset. Built in Unreal Engine 5, focused on a new Witcher, and designed as the opening chapter of a new trilogy, the game aims to carry the franchise forward without relying on nostalgia alone. As more details emerge, The Witcher IV stands poised to define the future of the Witcher universe, offering players a fresh path into the dark, morally complex world that made the series legendary.