# The update in brief CD Projekt Red issued a development update for The Witcher 4 ahead of Gamescom 2026. The studio set a target release window of 2028, confirmed the game puts Ciri at the center of its next saga, and reiterated it will not show The Witcher 4 at the event or commit to an exact release date yet.
Who's leading development and what the studio says
Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski spoke in a social video published ahead of Gamescom. He described the project as the studio's biggest and most ambitious, and said over 500 developers are working on it. The studio emphasizes the game will offer a large, immersive open world, intense action-focused gameplay, and a story intended to have lasting player impact.
Platform and tech details CD Projekt has shared
CD Projekt has shown technology demonstrations previously, and the company clarified the June 2025 footage was a tech demo representing what the game's foundation could look like on a base PS5. The studio described that demo as showcasing core systems and features built on Unreal Engine 5, developed in close collaboration with Epic Games. CD Projekt warned the tech demo should not be taken as direct footage of The Witcher 4 itself.
What to expect at Gamescom 2026
CD Projekt confirmed it will attend Gamescom, but said The Witcher 4 will not be shown at the event. Instead the update framed Gamescom as an opportunity to discuss the franchise's future and to present other Witcher-related content. Other coverage indicates CD Projekt will highlight material tied to The Witcher 3 in the near term.
Timeline and context
What this means for players and observers
Players can take the 2028 window as a directional timeline, not a firm launch calendar. Expect periodic studio updates that reinforce scope and technical ambitions rather than an immediate playable reveal. The firm placement of Ciri as the lead character signals continuity with the franchise's established cast while presenting a new narrative focus.
# Bottom line CD Projekt is signaling steady progress: a large team, substantial technical development in Unreal Engine 5, and a 2028 target. The company is choosing to manage expectations by withholding a precise date and avoiding a Gamescom reveal for The Witcher 4 itself.