CD Projekt Red is currently juggling a lot. Between the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel and the Witcher 1 remake, there’s one project that basically everyone is losing their minds over. The Witcher 4. Except, it isn't actually called that.
CDPR officially refers to it as Project Polaris.
The internet is already full of wild theories, but let’s look at what we actually know from earnings calls, dev updates, and that single, cryptic teaser image of a cat-shaped medallion in the snow. It's been years since The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt redefined what an open-world RPG could be. Honestly, the pressure on the dev team must be suffocating. They aren't just making a sequel; they’re trying to build a new trilogy from scratch using a completely different engine.
Moving Beyond the White Wolf
Everyone asks the same thing: Is Geralt coming back?
Basically, no. At least, not as the guy you’re controlling. Doug Cockle, the voice behind Geralt of Rivia, has mentioned in interviews that while Geralt exists in this universe, the focus is shifting. It has to. Geralt’s story in Blood and Wine was the perfect sunset. Tugging him back into the lead role would feel kinda cheap, wouldn’t it?
Project Polaris is the beginning of a multi-game saga. CDPR CEO Adam Kiciński confirmed that this is a "new AAA RPG trilogy." That suggests a fresh protagonist.
Look at that teaser image again. That isn't a Wolf medallion. It’s a Lynx. This sparked a massive debate because, in the existing lore (the books by Andrzej Sapkowski and the previous games), there isn't really a "School of the Lynx." There's a "School of the Cat," sure, but the ears on that medallion are distinctly tufted. CD Projekt Red’s global communication director, Marcin Momot, basically confirmed the Lynx connection on social media with a simple nod.
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This is huge. It means the writers are moving into uncharted territory. They aren't just adapting the books anymore; they are expanding the mythos.
The Unreal Engine 5 Shift
For years, CDPR used their in-house REDengine. It was powerful but, as we saw with the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, it had some serious limitations when it came to massive, dense open worlds.
For The Witcher 4, they’ve ditched REDengine for Unreal Engine 5.
Why does this matter to you? Efficiency. Instead of spending months fixing the engine itself, the devs can use Epic Games’ tools like Nanite and Lumen to focus on the actual game. This partnership is deeper than just a license. They are literally collaborating with Epic to optimize UE5 for open-world RPGs.
Why the engine swap changes the vibe:
- Lighting: Lumen allows for real-time global illumination. Imagine walking through the swamps of Velen and seeing the sunlight filter through shifting clouds in real-time.
- Asset Density: Nanite means we won't see that annoying "pop-in" where trees suddenly appear twenty feet in front of you.
- Stability: Hopefully, this prevents the technical meltdown we saw in 2020.
When is the Release Date?
Don't hold your breath for 2026.
As of late 2024 and early 2025, the game moved into full production. In game dev terms, that means the "discovery" phase is over. The blueprints are finished, and now they are actually building the house. Usually, a project of this scale takes four to five years in full production.
We are likely looking at a 2027 or 2028 release window.
It sounds like a long time. It is. But CDPR is clearly trying to avoid the "crunch" culture and the reputational hit they took a few years back. They have over 400 people working on Polaris right now. That is a massive chunk of their workforce.
The Mystery of the New Protagonist
If it’s not Geralt, who is it?
The "Ciri" theory is the most popular. She’s already a fan favorite, she’s incredibly powerful, and she has the "Elder Blood" which allows for world-hopping. It makes sense. But there’s a catch: The Witcher 3 had multiple endings for her. Making one of them "canon" would annoy a lot of players who chose a different path.
Then there’s the "Create-a-Witcher" theory.
Some think Polaris might let you build your own character. You pick your school, your mutations, and your path. While that sounds cool on paper, Witcher games have always been about a specific, deeply personal narrative. An anonymous protagonist might lose that "soul" that made Geralt's journey so compelling.
Combat and Gameplay Evolution
Combat in The Witcher 3 was... fine. It wasn't Dark Souls, and it wasn't Devil May Cry. It was a bit floaty.
With the move to a new engine and a new protagonist, expect the "dance-like" swordplay to get a major overhaul. If the protagonist is from the School of the Lynx, maybe the combat is faster? More agile? Maybe it focuses on stealth or traps?
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The developers have hinted that they want to push the boundaries of narrative "choice and consequence." In most games, a choice changes a line of dialogue. In The Witcher, it usually changes the fate of an entire village three hours later. They want to lean harder into that complexity.
What You Should Do Now
While we wait for a proper trailer, there are a few things worth doing to prep for the next era of the Continent.
First, read the Season of Storms novel if you haven't. It’s a standalone Geralt story that touches on things the games haven't fully explored yet.
Second, keep an eye on CD Projekt Red’s quarterly earnings reports. I know, it sounds boring. But that’s where the real info drops. They have to be honest with shareholders about development milestones and team sizes.
Third, don't buy into "leaks" from random 4chan threads or unverified Twitter accounts. If it doesn't come from a verified CDPR source or a reputable outlet like Bloomberg (where Jason Schreier often reports on the studio), it’s probably fan fiction.
The most important thing to remember is that The Witcher 4 is a reset. It’s a chance for the studio to prove they are still the kings of the RPG genre. The transition to Unreal Engine 5 is a massive technical hurdle, but if they pull it off, we are looking at a game that will define the next decade of gaming just like its predecessor did.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Monitor the CDPR IR (Investor Relations) page: This is the only place for confirmed project statuses.
- Replay Witcher 3 on "Next-Gen" settings: It uses some early ray-tracing features that give a tiny hint of the visual fidelity the team is aiming for in Polaris.
- Ignore "Pre-order" scams: There is no official pre-order for Project Polaris yet. Any site claiming otherwise is phishing for your data.
- Follow Sebastian Kalemba: He's the Director for the new Witcher saga. His career moves and public comments often hint at the creative direction of the project.
The journey to the Lynx School is going to be long. Stay patient.