Shares of CD Projekt (CDR.WA) saw a significant decline of nearly 13% in early trading on Wednesday, following the company’s announcement that the highly anticipated “Witcher IV” would not be released before 2027. The delay has sparked concerns about an even longer wait for the next installment in the beloved Witcher series.
‘Witcher IV’ Release Date Pushed Beyond 2026
CD Projekt confirmed that “Witcher IV,” which is being developed under the code name Polaris, will be the first entry in a new trilogy expanding the Witcher universe. The franchise, which has sold over 75 million copies globally, is known for its medieval fantasy world and critical acclaim. However, the game developer has refrained from giving an exact release date, instead suggesting that the game would premiere after 2026 to provide more clarity for investors.
Analysts React to the Delay
The news that the release of “Witcher IV” will not occur before 2027 was not entirely unexpected, according to analysts. Grzegorz Balcerski from Trigon noted that his previous forecast already anticipated the game’s premiere in the second quarter of 2027. However, the extended timeline has raised concerns about potential further delays, which are common in the video game industry. Some analysts expressed disappointment at the lack of commitment to a firm 2027 release, which could signal a longer delay.
Impact on Stock Performance
As a result of the news, CD Projekt’s stock dropped sharply by 11% as of 0940 GMT, marking its largest one-day loss in two years. The company was the worst performer on Europe’s benchmark STOXX 600 index on the day of the announcement. Despite this, the stock had been up 20% since the beginning of 2025, indicating strong market performance until the release delay news.
Development Timeline and Expectations
In November, CD Projekt had announced that “Witcher IV” had entered full-scale production, and CEO Michal Nowakowski had indicated that it typically takes five to six years to develop a major AAA game. The company had initially revealed the development of the new Witcher saga in March 2022, with high hopes for a new chapter in the series.