The Polish game studio CD Projekt RED is moving forward with the full development of its next Witcher installment, anticipated to commence before the end of 2024. This progress is based on statements attributed to the company’s CEO, Adam Badowski, who outlined the staffing and scope planned for the project.
Badowski indicated that the team will grow to roughly 400 developers by mid-year, underscoring a substantial investment in resources to bring Polaris to life. The project’s code name, Polaris, signals more than a single title; reports describe Polaris as the core of a new Witcher trilogy, potentially redefining the series’ arc and scale for a broader narrative canvas. [Reuters]
While CD Projekt RED has not announced a release window for Polaris, market analysts expect the first entry in this new Witcher cycle to arrive around 2026 or 2027. The assessment also notes that the studio is unlikely to announce or ship a major project within the near term, suggesting a measured, long-term release strategy. [Reuters]
The Witcher franchise began as a video game series from CD Projekt RED, drawing inspiration from the fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. The inaugural Witcher game debuted in 2007, and since then the company has released two additional installments. The broader Witcher brand has achieved significant commercial success, with global book editions and game sales contributing to a broad fan base. [Reuters]
Beyond the studio’s immediate plans, observers and fans alike are watching how Polaris will build on the world established in the earlier Witcher titles. Questions persist about the direction of gameplay mechanics, narrative scope, and the integration of new technologies, all of which will influence how this new trilogy is perceived in the crowded landscape of modern role-playing games. [Reuters]
Industry observers emphasize that Polaris represents more than a single release; it embodies CD Projekt RED’s ambition to expand the Witcher universe while maintaining its commitment to quality storytelling, character development, and expansive world-building. The approach signals a strategic balance between innovation and fidelity to the beloved Witcher lore, with development to be guided by a growing team and a clear timetable that aims to deliver a high-caliber experience to players in the coming years. [Reuters]