The Witcher 4 release window confirmed, but physical copies face a major problem
Michał Nowakowski, Joint CEO of CD Projekt Red, revealed the launch window for The Witcher 4, and it is something that fans of physical media are not going to like. According to the latest video update shared via X, formerly Twitter, on the game's official account, The Witcher 4 is expected to launch sometime in 2028. This would be beyond the end of physical game production for PlayStation, as Sony is set to stop printing new game discs for its console from January 2028.
We also recently learned that the PS6 could be delayed from its expected 2027 window, with Sony yet to decide when it will launch the next-generation console. Sony President and CEO Hiroki Totoki previously said that the company had “not yet decided on at what timing we will launch the new console, or at what prices”. This comes as Sony continues to focus on generating recurring revenue from its existing PlayStation user base, with Totoki adding, “we're focusing on recurring revenue from the current, you know, the user base.”
The Witcher 4 physical release could be affected by Sony’s 2028 disc cutoff
CD Projekt Red did not confirm or deny whether the game will receive a physical release for PlayStation. However, considering that Sony has confirmed on more than one occasion that PlayStation will stop printing new game discs from January 2028, the possibility of a physical release remains uncertain. Sony first announced the change via a blog post and its official X handle, and we have since started seeing PlayStation 5 console boxes featuring a sticker reiterating the end of physical PlayStation games.
As for a physical release of The Witcher 4 on other consoles, we still have no information. Michał did not mention which consoles The Witcher 4 will launch on, so a physical release on Xbox or Switch 2 could still be possible. Xbox has not said anything about ending physical games on its current platforms or its upcoming next-generation Xbox, codenamed Helix. However, we did see a report about Xbox's disc-to-digital programme, which would allow users to extract a digital licence from their Xbox game disc and play the game across multiple Xbox consoles. If the disc is then sold to another person and inserted into their console, the licence would automatically be transferred to the new owner's account.
As for the Switch 2, if The Witcher 4 launches on the platform, it could arrive in one of two physical formats. It could either launch as a game on a full cartridge or as a game-key card, which would contain part of the game and download the rest from the internet before allowing the game to be played offline. In both cases, users would retain the ability to resell or trade their copy of The Witcher 4.
Apart from The Witcher 4, CD Projekt Red is also planning to release a new DLC for The Witcher 3, which will be the game's third expansion, following Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. This is certainly impressive for a game that launched more than a decade ago, on May 19, 2015. Just like the other two DLCs, though, Songs of the Past will be a paid expansion, scheduled to release in 2027.
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