The highly anticipated game, The Witcher 4, is projected to have a staggering budget that could reach $800 million, according to analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski of Noble Securities. This projection comes as excitement builds following the commercial success of The Witcher 3, which has sold millions since its release.
Chrzanowski details that the development cost for The Witcher 4 is expected to be around PLN 1.4 billion, approximately $388 million. In addition to development, he estimates that marketing efforts could match that figure, bringing the total budget close to $800 million. For context, the budget for The Witcher 3 was significantly lower, with reports indicating a development budget of PLN 120 million (around $32 million) and marketing costs of $35 million, totaling roughly $80 million. Remarkably, The Witcher 3 recouped its costs within a day, selling 4 million copies shortly after launch.
The success of The Witcher 3 has enabled CD Projekt RED to invest heavily in its successor. Since its launch in 2015, The Witcher 3 has generated $650 million in sales. Despite the ambitious budget, it still falls short of the reported budget of over $1 billion for Grand Theft Auto VI.
New DLC Expected for The Witcher 3
Chrzanowski also anticipates new downloadable content (DLC) for The Witcher 3, expected to be released in May 2026. He predicts that this content will cost around $30 and will serve as a launchpad for marketing The Witcher 4. While these projections have not been officially confirmed, they align with growing speculation among fans and industry insiders.
Rumors suggest that the new DLC might be developed by Fool’s Theory, an independent studio comprising former CD Projekt RED staff. This studio is currently working on a remake of the original The Witcher game, announced in 2022. The upcoming DLC is said to potentially explore the region of Zerrikania, known for its mountainous terrain and unique matriarchal society.
The last major expansion for The Witcher 3, titled Blood and Wine, was released in May 2016. If the new DLC launches as projected, it will coincide with the tenth anniversary of that expansion, creating a significant moment for fans of the series.
Future of The Witcher Franchise
As for the release schedule of The Witcher 4, CD Projekt RED has confirmed that it will not be released in 2026. Chrzanowski speculates that the game could debut in the fourth quarter of 2027, specifically in October, November, or December. This timeline remains unofficial but highlights the long development cycle expected for such a high-profile title.
So far, only a CG trailer has been released, revealing Ciri as the playable character instead of Geralt. In response to fan concerns regarding this shift, CD Projekt RED has assured that the narrative will remain true to the lore created by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Additionally, the studio has cited inspiration from Baldur’s Gate 3 in how non-playable characters interact with players based on their choices.
While details are still sparse, the anticipation for The Witcher 4 continues to grow, fueled by the franchise’s legacy and the promising innovations hinted at for the new installment. As development progresses, both fans and industry observers will be keenly watching for updates on this monumental project.
