A Whole New Witcher Trilogy of Games Released Within Six Years of Each Other – Is That Even Possible?

The Witcher Trilogy: A Bold Move for CD Projekt Red

CD Projekt Red, the developers behind the critically acclaimed The Witcher series, has announced plans to release an entire new trilogy of games within six years. This ambitious timeline—assumed to launch with The Witcher 4 in 2027 and concluding with The Witcher 6 by 2033—raises questions about the pace and efficiency of game development.

Transitioning to Unreal Engine 5

In a recent financial call, Joint Studio CEO Michał Nowakowski revealed that CD Projekt Red is using Unreal Engine 5 for the development process. This marks a significant departure from the studio’s previous reliance on its proprietary Red engine and highlights their commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology.

“We’ve been using UE5 for The Witcher 4 for almost four years now, and we’re very happy with what we’ve achieved,” Nowakowski stated during the call. “I think you could have seen some of that with your own eyes with our tech demo reveal at Unreal Fest a couple of months ago, and we’re very happy with the results of that as well.” This move signals a shift in development strategy, aiming to streamline the production process while maintaining high-quality standards.

Development Team Reorganization

The transition to Unreal Engine 5 necessitates significant changes within CD Projekt Red. The studio has reorganized its team structure, with most of the Fool’s Theory team—formerly responsible for The Witcher 1 remake—now focusing on The Witcher 4. This reallocation ensures that the foundations laid in one game can be efficiently carried over to subsequent titles.

“I think we stated in the past that the majority of the team is currently involved in the other project, and also support for The Witcher 4,” Nowakowski explained. “So, for TW1 per se, it’s a smaller group of people.” This reorganization underscores CD Projekt Red’s strategy to prioritize ongoing projects while ensuring continuity in development efforts.

Industry Comparison

The proposed timeline of releasing three Witcher games within six years is ambitious by industry standards. Typically, RPG developers face significant challenges that often lead to delays. For instance, The Witcher 3 was delayed three times before its release in May 2015, and Cyberpunk 2077 faced four post-launch delays until it arrived in December 2020.

“Even assuming CD Projekt Red doesn’t delay The Witcher 4, 5, or 6,” Nowakowski noted, “those previous games highlight lengthening development times.” This observation raises the question of whether the studio can maintain this accelerated pace without compromising quality. The industry context suggests that such a timeline is indeed a leap of faith.

Conclusion

A New Chapter for CD Projekt Red

The announcement of an entire new trilogy of The Witcher games within six years marks a significant shift in the studio’s development strategy. While this ambitious plan challenges traditional industry norms, it also demonstrates CD Projekt Red’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in game development.

As The Witcher 4 nears its anticipated release in 2027, the coming years will be crucial for evaluating whether such a rapid development cycle can be sustained. The success of this ambitious plan will not only determine the future of the series but also set new benchmarks for other developers considering similar timelines.

In summary, CD Projekt Red’s bold move signals an exciting era for fans of the Witcher franchise and provides valuable insights into how major studios are adapting to the evolving landscape of game development. As we await further details on this ambitious plan, one thing is clear: The future of The Witcher games looks both promising and challenging.

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