CD Projekt Red has outlined its upcoming release schedule for the franchise, confirming a 2027 launch for a new The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt expansion alongside a targeted 2028 release window for The Witcher 4. The studio made the disclosures ahead of Gamescom 2026, clarifying the production timelines for both projects.
Songs of the Past Expansion
The upcoming expansion, titled Songs of the Past, is scheduled to arrive in 2027 and will function as a story prologue for the third installment. CD Projekt Red confirmed that the add-on will introduce expanded Gwent content, adding new gameplay mechanics and matches to the card minigame. Further specifics regarding the narrative scope, pricing, and technical updates for the expansion will be unveiled during Gamescom 2026, which runs from August 25 to 30.
Ciri Leads The Witcher 4
Joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski confirmed that The Witcher 4, initially announced at The Game Awards in 2024, is currently tracking toward a 2028 release. The next major installment shifts the narrative focus to Ciri as the primary protagonist. Voice actor Ciara Berkeley will portray the character, stepping into the lead role for the start of the new saga. The studio also stated that the title will not be shown during Gamescom 2026, keeping marketing and gameplay demonstrations on hold until development reaches a later milestone.
These timelines establish a clear trajectory for the franchise over the next two years. Existing players will receive new single-player content and expanded card gameplay through the 2027 prologue, bridging the gap before the series transitions to its next generation with Ciri at the helm in 2028.
The decision to revisit The Witcher 3 nearly a decade after its initial launch highlights the enduring popularity of the open-world RPG and its beloved minigame. By integrating the card-based mechanics directly into a narrative prologue, developers aim to satisfy community demand for fresh tactical matches while providing meaningful backstory context.
Meanwhile, skipping the upcoming convention appearance for the fourth installment suggests a deliberate strategy by management to avoid premature hype and ensure the team remains focused on hitting their late-decade milestones without unnecessary promotional distractions.
As the studio navigates this dual-project pipeline, the careful pacing of announcements reflects lessons learned from past releases. Fans looking forward to the 2027 arrival of Songs of the Past can expect a revitalized return to the Continent, while the subsequent leap to The Witcher 4 in 2028 promises a bold new chapter for the franchise's evolving universe.
