Video game developer CD Projekt has entered what it describes as the “most intensive phase” of development for the next installment in its flagship role playing game series, The Witcher 4. The company has expanded the project team to 513 developers, signaling a significant ramp up in production efforts.

The Warsaw, Poland based studio confirmed the headcount increase in a recent update, positioning the project as a primary focus for the company. The figure represents a large portion of CD Projekt’s total workforce, which numbers roughly 1,200 employees across multiple projects.

Development Milestone and Team Allocation

CD Projekt’s latest quarterly financial report indicated that the core development team for the title, currently code named Polaris, has grown steadily over the past year. The figure of 513 developers working on The Witcher 4 marks a notable increase from earlier phases, where the team numbered closer to 400 at the end of 2024.

The company has historically structured its development cycles in stages, moving from concept and pre production to full scale production. The current phase, which CD Projekt calls the “most intensive,” typically involves higher resource allocation for building core gameplay systems, completing level design, and integrating art assets at a larger scale.

CD Projekt’s management has stated that the Polaris project remains on track, though the company has not provided a specific release date or launch window. The development team’s expansion suggests that the game is progressing toward a more advanced state of production, potentially moving closer to a beta or quality assurance stage.

Broader Studio Context

The Polaris project is one of several initiatives underway at CD Projekt. The studio is also developing a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, currently code named Orion, as well as a new intellectual property and a Witcher spin off title. The company has committed to a multi franchise strategy to reduce reliance on any single series.

CD Projekt has also established a new studio in Boston, Massachusetts, which is expected to contribute to the Orion project and other North American based development efforts. The main development office in Warsaw remains the primary hub for The Witcher 4.

Technical Foundation and Engine Transition

The Witcher 4 will be built using Unreal Engine 5, marking a departure from the REDengine that powered previous CD Projekt titles including The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. The company announced this transition in 2022, citing a desire to streamline development and adopt more modern rendering capabilities.

The move to Unreal Engine 5 has required significant retraining for the studio’s engineers and designers. CD Projekt has partnered closely with Epic Games, the developer of Unreal Engine, to customize the technology for its open world design needs.

Industry Impact and Expectations

The Witcher series has sold over 75 million copies across its three mainline installments, with The Witcher 3 widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed role playing games of the last decade. The franchise’s popularity has grown further due to the Netflix television adaptation, which has introduced the series to a broader mainstream audience.

Market analysts expect The Witcher 4 to be a major revenue driver for CD Projekt, which has seen its stock price fluctuate since the problematic launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. The company has worked to rebuild investor confidence through regular updates and performance improvements for its existing titles.

Timeline and Future Outlook

CD Projekt has not provided a release date for The Witcher 4. The company has previously stated that it will not announce a launch window until the game is closer to completion, a lesson learned from the premature marketing of Cyberpunk 2077.

Industry observers anticipate that the game will not ship before 2026 or 2027, given the scale of the project and the team size. Polaris is expected to be the first installment in a new Witcher trilogy, suggesting a long term commitment to the franchise.

The company’s next major update on the development of Polaris is likely to come during its annual investor day or financial results calls. CD Projekt has committed to providing regular transparency on project progress as part of its post Cyberpunk 2077 communication strategy.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz