The Witcher 4 targets 2028—and physical copies are already sparking debate

CD Projekt Red has confirmed at Gamescom the 2028 release window for *The Witcher 4*. Good news—except that physical editions are already posing a major issue.

The confirmation we were waiting for

The Witcher 4 finally has an official release window: 2028. CD Projekt Red announced it at Gamescom 2026—the co-CEO Michał Nowakowski confirmed it in a new video, putting an end to months of speculation. Notebookcheck notes that the window is officially "confirmed"—but adds a less encouraging detail: physical copies face a major issue.

Ciri, UE5, and the lessons from Cyberpunk

The Witcher 4, announced in December 2022 with Ciri as the main protagonist, marks two major shifts for CDPR: a change of engine (goodbye to their in-house REDengine, hello Unreal Engine 5) and a change of hero for the first time in the Witcher franchise. The ambition is clearly visible in the assets shown publicly.

2028 is roughly six years after the announcement—and five years after CDPR’s public apologies for the disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. The lesson seems to have been learned: no exact date, a wide window, and controlled communication.

The physical edition: a worrying signal

What really stands out is the issue of physical editions. And the reason is concrete: according to Notebookcheck, Sony is preparing to stop producing PlayStation discs in 2028—the same year The Witcher 4 is targeting for its release. A coincidence that raises a real question: how can a PS5+ physical edition be released if Sony stops producing discs for its own games that same year?

This isn’t an isolated case. The industry is in the midst of a physical contraction: Nintendo launched the Switch 2 without a disc drive, retailers are reducing their game sections, and "physical editions" often amount to a download code in a cardboard box. For a game of The Witcher 4’s scale, a collector’s edition without meaningful physical content would truly betray longtime fans.

Our take

It’s impressive to see 2028 confirmed by Nowakowski—finally, direct communication. As for physical copies, we’re watching closely, because The Witcher 4 deserves better than an empty box at a time when Sony is phasing out discs.

Rating: 8/10 · Key takeaway: 2028 confirmed by co-CEO Nowakowski, UE5 + Ciri—but Sony stops PS disc production in 2028, the same year. The fate of physical editions is structurally threatened. · For: fans of ambitious open-world RPGs, series aficionados, collectors looking to plan ahead.