Witcher 4 Launch Date Still Far Off, Developers Explain Decision Against Using Generative AI

As part of CD Projekt’s recent earnings briefing, the Polish company confirmed that The Witcher 4 is not going to release anytime soon and commented on the company’s thoughts regarding generative AI.

Management said during an earnings call that The Witcher 4 is projected to be released after 2026. The company added that it sees “potential” in releasing “a trilogy within six years.” It’s been confirmed that The Witcher 4 kicks off a new trilogy, and it seems extremely ambitious for The Witcher 5 and 6 to follow within the space of six years, but that is what management believes could be possible, it seems.

Michal Nowakowski, the co-CEO of CD Projekt, was asked during the call if he believes it’s possible to release the entire trilogy within a six-year window. He said the company does not foresee anything that would make this goal impossible. The new Witcher games are being made using Epic’s Unreal Engine technology, which is a major shift from past releases that were built using CD Projekt’s own technology.

Nowakowski said CD Projekt will work with the Epic team if any issues with the engine arise. GameSpot has followed up with CD Projekt in an attempt to get more insight into the six-year timeframe remark.

Before this, CD Projekt management said The Witcher 5 and The Witcher 6 would each take about three years to develop. As confirmed previously, the six-year window begins when The Witcher 4 releases.

Given that The Witcher 4 won’t release until 2027 at the soonest, many are wondering if it’s possible the game could come to new PlayStation and Xbox consoles. This remains unknown.

Also during the earnings briefing, Nowakowski discussed why CD Projekt will not use generative AI in the development of The Witcher 4 or other upcoming games. Generative AI is “quite tricky” as it relates to IP rights and legality, the executive said (via Eurogamer), adding, “when it comes to implementation of any gen AI in the actual games, we really have nothing happening when it comes to Witcher 4 or any projects in the near future.”

Nowakowski went on to remind everyone that CD Projekt established an internal team in 2024 tasked with investigating how the company’s teams can use AI for its future games, including potentially creating its own customized AI models. “Several” research projects for this are underway, Nowakowski said.

General AI has been used in game development for decades and is far less controversial than generative AI technologies that are relatively newer and more potentially problematic. Part of the reason why video game voice actors remain on strike is due to concerns around AI. As for game developers, there are fears that jobs could be lost due to a rise in AI.