Just when fans thought they had finally closed the book on Geralt’s adventures, a new report from a Polish financial firm suggests CD Projekt Red may be heading back to the Continent for one more ride before the next chapter begins.
Most players assumed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt had reached its final form. After all, the game launched over a decade ago, received its celebrated next-gen update, and let players give Geralt a well-earned retirement at Corvo Bianco. However, a recent analysis from Noble Securities analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski (via Strefa Inwestorów) claims CDPR is secretly developing a new paid expansion targeting a May 2026 release. According to the report, the studio needs a “commercial bridge” to generate revenue and maintain momentum before the next major installment arrives. If accurate, this would mark a DLC launching 11 years after the original game—an unprecedented move that fans will almost certainly embrace regardless.
The Witcher 4 Is Further Away Than You Hope
The analyst report delivers more than just expansion news. It pushes the anticipated release window for Project Polaris (The Witcher 4) to Q4 2027. Many fans had hoped for an earlier debut, but Chrzanowski points to extended development timelines and significantly increased production costs as the primary factors behind the delay.
The projected budget for the entire new Witcher trilogy stands at PLN 3.2 billion (approximately €760 million), representing a massive financial undertaking. The strategy behind the rumored 2026 expansion appears clear: reignite player enthusiasm for The Witcher universe right before launching the new saga. The analyst projects this single expansion could move 11 million units at a $30 price point—a substantial revenue stream to fund larger ambitions.
Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel and Other Delays
Fans eagerly awaiting Project Orion (the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel) face a considerably longer wait. The report estimates a Q4 2030 release window, timing the launch to coincide with the original game’s 10th anniversary. While thematically fitting, the extended timeline will test player patience.
The prolonged development stems partly from ambitious multiplayer integration, which has expanded both budget requirements and production schedules. Additionally, the Witcher 1 Remake (codenamed Canis Majoris) and the spin-off title Project Sirius have reportedly shifted to 2028.
My Take
This projected timeline positions CD Projekt Red’s releases directly in the wake of GTA VI (expected late 2026). Launching premium DLC for an 11-year-old RPG represents a gamble, but CDPR has proven its resilience before—transforming Cyberpunk 2077 from a troubled launch into a critically acclaimed experience. Whether hardware can keep pace with these ambitious 2030 plans remains another question entirely.
Source: Strefa Inwestorów