Witcher 4 full steam ahead as devs confirm full-scale production

· TrueAchievements

Witcher 4 full steam ahead as devs confirm full-scale production

Project Polaris, the codename for what we're all calling Witcher 4, is now in full-scale production, "the most intensive phase of development."

Heidi Nicholas

Published 27 Nov 2024

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Good news: we're getting gradually closer to 'Project Polaris,' as The Witcher 4 has entered full-scale production. This is especially great if, like us, you feel that going after The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition achievements was one of the best Xbox RPG experiences you've ever had!

Witcher 4 in full-scale production with "no stopping now," says game director Sebastian Kalemba

"Project Polaris — the first instalment in the new Witcher trilogy — has progressed to full-scale production," according to CD Projekt, which shared the news in a wrap-up of 2024's third quarter. "I’m proud to confirm that several weeks ago the Polaris team wrapped up preproduction and moved on to full-scale production – the most intensive phase of development," joint CEO Michał Nowakowski added.

"We are very pleased with our progress on this project, and I wish to thank the team for its dedication," he concludes. The news wasn't all Witcher-focused — CD Projekt also confirmed that "total post-release sales" of Cyberpunk 2077 have now "topped" 30 million copies, while its Phantom Liberty DLC has sold over 8 million copies — but it's the Witcher bit we're most excited about.

Over on X, game director Sebastian Kalemba continues the news, saying, "With new challenges just around the corner, it’s the talented and hard-working people who make me believe we can together make the upcoming Witcher Saga a remarkable experience. No stopping now! Stay tuned for what’s on the other side of the coin!"

We know that The Witcher 4 won't focus on Geralt but that he'll still feature. Geralt will always be one of the best protagonists of all time, but I'm more resigned to the change since Red Dead Redemption 2 taught me how quickly my loyalties could be replaced (John Marston who?). In any case, Geralt's story was so richly explored and culminated so well in Blood and Wine that it might indeed be better served by letting him take on a supporting role in someone else's, rather than trying to continue it past its best point. Kind of like Toy Story 4.

As for that someone else, there's no official word on who it might be, but we all know who we'd like it to be — especially depending on how you handled Ciri's story in The Witcher 3. Details on Polaris are still thin on the ground, and are likely to be for some time.

We've been trying not to get ahead of ourselves when it comes to anticipating the Witcher 4 ever since it was announced over two years ago, but full-scale production means the start of full-scale Witcher hype for me. I wanted a suitable Geralt quote to sum up the excitement but since his favorite things to say ricochet between "what now, you piece of filth" and "looks like rain" (with the occasional Roach comment thrown in), we'll go with an ol' reliable: wind's howling...

What do you make of this news? Ready for a new contender for the best Xbox open-world games? Let us know in the comments!
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Written by Heidi Nicholas
Heidi tends to lean towards indie games, RPGs, and open-world games on Xbox, and when not playing Disney Dreamlight Valley, happily installs every new wholesome game that appears on Xbox Game Pass, before diving back into favorites like The Witcher 3. She's looking forward to Age of Mythology Retold, Everwild, Fable, and Avowed on the Xbox horizon. Heidi graduated with an MA in English Literature before joining the TrueAchievements team.