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Polish game giant’s Witcher 4 moves into full production as Cyberpunk 2077 sales soar

27.11.2024 10:30
Polish game developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed that the next installment in The Witcher series has entered full-scale production.
Witcher 4 teaser image.
Witcher 4 teaser image. Image: CD Projekt

Codenamed Project Polaris, the game has moved beyond the planning stages and is now actively being developed, marking a significant milestone for fans eagerly awaiting the continuation of the fantasy saga.

Game director Sebastian Kalemba said in a tweet that he was excited about the project's progress, noting that the dedicated team is ready to tackle new challenges to deliver an exceptional experience in the upcoming Witcher saga.

Currently, about 400 developers are working on Polaris, comprising the majority of CD Projekt Red's development staff of 650. The remaining team members are allocated to other projects, including the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, known as Orion, and a new Witcher game developed by The Molasses Flood, referred to as Sirius.

Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077 has surpassed 30 million copies sold since its release in December 2020. Its recent expansion, Phantom Liberty, has also seen strong sales, exceeding eight million copies. CD Projekt Red attributed its solid third-quarter financial performance to the robust sales of these titles, as well as continued interest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

While details about The Witcher 4, anticipated to launch in 2025, remain under wraps, speculation is rife among fans. A teaser image released earlier features a lynx-shaped medallion, leading many to believe that Ciri, a key character from previous games, may play a central role in the new trilogy.

In addition, CD Projekt Red announced plans to release Cyberpunk 2077 and its expansion to Mac devices powered by Apple Silicon chips next year, expanding the game's accessibility to a broader audience.

The Witcher franchise is based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s books that have been translated into 20 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide, making him Poland’s second most translated author after sci-fi writer Stanisław Lem.

(jh)

Source: IGN