CD Projekt Red Reveals New Witcher Game, Moving to Unreal Engine 5

Even before wrapping up 2020 open-world action role-playing game Cyberpunk 2077, a brand-new project has already been planned by developer/publisher CD Projekt Red to start working on for next-gen console systems after its launch.

Earlier in 2020, CDPR president Adam Kiciński has revealed plans to develop a new game in The Witcher series during an interview. CD Projekt made a surprise announcement today, officially confirming a new Witcher game in development.

CD Projekt also announces that a new saga will begin with next game of Witcher franchise that will be powered by Unreal Engine 5 instead of their very own REDengine, which was previously used to create Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher.

As they switch over to new engine, CDPR agrees to a multi-year strategic partnership with Epic Games. Other than licensing, dev team will look into possible technical development of Unreal Engine 5 in future, working alongside Epic's devs.

CD Projekt will still use REDengine for upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, despite moving to UE5. Many of the future CDPR open-world experiences may eventually move to Unreal Engine, which is main goal for Epic Games' collaboration.

After a disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077, many fans have speculated that CDPR may reveal a new Witcher game to appease fans. With growing popularity of a live-action Netflix TV series, a new video game may appeal to larger audience.

To address fan-concern, CDPR assures that new title in The Witcher franchise won't be an Epic Games Store-exclusive for PC. Although they reveal having no plans to make it exclusive to one platform, they didn't confirm a release for Steam.

Newest game in The Witcher series likely kick-starts a new trilogy and players believe it to be a fourth mainline entry. CD Projekt Red however, reveals no additional development details like any launch window, nor a definitive release date.