CD Projekt Red has announced thatThe Witcher 4—internally known as Project Polaris—has entered full-scale production, marking a major milestone in the development of the highly anticipated game. After the tumultuous launch ofCyberpunk 2077, the studio is striving to learn from its past challenges while maintaining its ambition to create groundbreaking RPG experiences.
During a recent interview withEurogamer, Tremblay emphasized the switch from REDengine to Epic Games’ Unreal Engine would streamline collaboration across their teams, enabling a more efficient development pipeline forThe Witcher 4, the upcomingCyberpunksequel (Project Orion), and a new IP codenamed Hadar. The Unreal Engine partnership also allows CDPR to focus more on game development than on maintaining internal technology. Tremblay stated,
“The next game we do will not be smaller, and it will not be worse… It will be better, bigger, greater than The Witcher 3. Technology should not be a blocker for us.”
Lessons Learned From Cyberpunk 2077
CDPR Ensures The Troubles With Cyberpunk 2077 Will Not Plague The Witcher 4
Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled launch has shaped CD Projekt Red’s approach to game development, particularly in terms of platform optimization and realistic timelines. Tremblay highlighted new safeguards, such as more thorough platform reviews, ensuring lower-tier consoles are functional early in the process.This reflects a commitment to avoid the rushed production and last-minute fixes that plaguedCyberpunk. Tremblay explained that scaling up production will only occur once all necessary tools and systems are fully ready, avoiding the “catch-up” scenario the studio faced with its previous title.
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CDPR remains ambitious.“The team’s ambition itself remains undimmed,”Tremblay assured, acknowledging thatwhile challenges are inevitable, the studio is focused on delivering a game that surpasses bothThe Witcher 3andCyberpunk 2077.
Our Take: A New Era For The Witcher
The Witcher 4 Marks The End Of An Era As Geralt Of Rivia Will Not Be The Main Character
The Witcher 4represents a fresh chapter in the franchise. While details about the storyline remain scarce, it has been confirmed that the game will not focus on Geralt of Rivia. The studio also aims to engage fans with smaller teasers and assets tobuild excitement without overhyping the project too early.This strategy aligns with CDPR’s intent to maintain transparency and manage expectations more effectively.
While the exact release window forThe Witcher 4remains unknown, the studio is likely to follow a shorter promotional campaign, lasting less than two years. As the studio presses forward, one thing is clear: CD Projekt Red is determined not just to learn from its mistakes but to surpass the monumental expectations set by its past successes. If its recent success with thePhantom Libertyexpansion is any indication, fans have reason to be optimistic aboutThe Witcher 4’s eventual debut.
