CD Projekt Red has stated it has no control over whether a disc-based PlayStation 5 edition of The Witcher 4 will be available upon its planned 2028 release. Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski explained that the manufacturing of discs for first-party platforms, including PlayStation, is handled by Sony's own factories, and CD Projekt Red is subject to Sony's manufacturing decisions.
Sony's current plans indicate a cessation of disc manufacturing beginning in January 2028. While the exact nature of this discontinuation—whether a hard cutoff or a gradual phase-out—remains unclear, it poses a potential challenge for physical game releases in that year. The Witcher 4 is slated for a 2028 launch, and considering the typical release windows for major titles, the game's release may fall close to or after this manufacturing shift.
Despite these uncertainties, CD Projekt Red is committed to offering a physical edition of The Witcher 4. Nowakowski emphasized the studio's appreciation for tangible collectibles, stating, "We're big fans of people having access to tangible collectible things. We're nerds ourselves, and we like that. We always supported that." Therefore, the company intends to release a boxed edition that includes "feelies"—collectible items designed for players to unbox and enjoy, regardless of the final disc availability.
Nowakowski recently refined The Witcher 4's release window to 2028, moving from a previous vague "not before 2027." The studio also has other projects to engage players in the interim. The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, an expansion for the 11-year-old game, is scheduled for release next year. Additionally, CD Projekt Red has undertaken a comprehensive remaster of The Witcher 3, enhancing its visuals and gameplay mechanics, including combat, enemy AI, skill trees, and horse riding. This remastered version is set to launch on September 29th.