GamesRPGThe Witcher 4The Witcher 4 dev says it takes 5-6 years to make a game after the idea’s conception - but isn’t saying when The Witcher 4 was thought upWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGThe Witcher 4The Witcher 4 dev says it takes 5-6 years to make a game after the idea’s conception - but isn’t saying when The Witcher 4 was thought upWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)
There’s been a lot of anticipationaround The Witcher 4 -and the rest ofCD Projekt Rednow that it has multiple projects in the pipeline forThe Witcherand Cyberpunk franchises — and understandably, people also want to know when they can expect to play these new games.
During a recentend-of-year earnings callfocusing on the developer’s performance in 2024 and what’s ahead,CDPRleadership, including Joint Chief Executive Officer Michał Nowakowski, gave some insight on the development timeline for their games, starting from the early talks of a project to full development. This gives us some insight into just how long it takes for CDPR to work on their large-scale games such asThe Witcher 4and the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel.
“From the very investigating ideas stage, so really when the first couple of people went into a room and say “hey, how about we make the next Witcher game,” that’s how long it takes – from the moment they start working on the paper and not going into what we call production phase in our vocabulary when talking about games,” said Nowakowski. “So when we start discussing ideas for the game, we start providing for development of these games. But it’s not 3 to 5 years of development, but more like 5 to 6 years of development – I want to clarify that point.”
This earnings call has announced that the next core entry in the Witcher series – codenamed Polaris – has enteredfull productionfollowing its pre-production phase, which focused on conceptualizing the scope and building up resources for the project. However, when asked during the call when Polaris, in particular, started its conceptualizing phase, Nowakowski sidestepped from providing an answer.
“I’m not going to answer that question, obviously, because that would be leading to pointing out a date, which we’re not doing, but thank you, that was a very clever way to ask that question,” said Nowakowski.
Currently, CDPR and its divisions have several projects on their slate. The core CDPR development team is working on the next Witcher game, while the newly established studio in Boston is working on the next Cyberpunk game – under the codename Orion.
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The Witcher 4 is still “the most far along” out of all of CD Projekt Red’s upcoming projects as it starts “the most intensive phase of development”
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”