CD Projekt Red Targets 2028 for Next Witcher Saga
Project Polaris marks a major technological pivot as the studio shifts to Unreal Engine 5.
CD Projekt Red is targeting a 2028 release window for the next major installment in The Witcher series. Known internally as Project Polaris, the project represents the beginning of a new saga within the franchise's universe.
Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski has described the upcoming title as the studio's "biggest, boldest and most ambitious game to date." The 2028 target indicates a long-term development cycle, signaling that the developer is prioritizing scale and quality over a rapid market return for the highly anticipated RPG.
A Technological Pivot
Project Polaris marks a fundamental shift in how CD Projekt Red builds its worlds. For the first time, the studio is moving away from its proprietary REDengine in favor of Unreal Engine 5. This transition is designed to streamline the development pipeline by leveraging modern, industry-standard tools, allowing the team to focus on content and design rather than maintaining internal engine architecture.
Industry Implications
This strategic move to Unreal Engine 5 is a pivotal moment for the company as it seeks to avoid the technical hurdles that plagued the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. By adopting a more stable and widely supported engine, CD Projekt Red aims to ensure a more polished technical delivery for its most ambitious project yet. For the industry, the timeline underscores a growing trend among AAA developers toward extended production cycles to meet the escalating expectations of modern gaming audiences.
The Road to 2028
While the 2028 window provides a roadmap, the project remains in a critical phase of development as the studio adapts to its new technological framework. Observers will be watching for further updates on how the transition to Unreal Engine 5 affects the game's scope and whether the studio maintains this aggressive scale as the release date approaches. The shift suggests a desire for stability and scalability, ensuring that the next chapter of the Witcher universe can meet the high technical standards of the late 2020s without the friction of legacy internal tools.