CD Projekt has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will be available in a physical release, a commitment that persists even with the game's projected 2028 launch, a timeframe that coincides with Sony's planned discontinuation of physical game disc production for the PlayStation 5.
Sony intends to cease manufacturing game discs for its current-generation consoles in January 2028. The Witcher 4, slated for release that year, represents one of the most significant AAA titles with a physical version planned around this transition. In an interview with The Game Business, CD Projekt joint CEO Michał Nowakowski stated the studio's continued desire to offer a physical product.
"We’re big fans of people having access to tangible collectible things. We’re nerds ourselves, and we like that. We always supported that," Nowakowski explained. "So, whatever is the case, we’re going to be for sure having a box. We’re going to have a box that’s going to have some feelies in it. Something you’re going to be wanting to open up and enjoy."
However, Nowakowski expressed uncertainty regarding whether the game itself would be included on a disc, noting CD Projekt's lack of control over first-party manufacturing policies. "We know what PlayStation has announced. And we have no influence on the policies of the first parties," he admitted. "The discs for the first parties, including PlayStation, have to be manufactured in their own factories. So, if they stop manufacturing indeed by 2028, then yes [we won’t have a disc]."
Despite this uncertainty about disc inclusion, CD Projekt's commitment to a physical release remains. The company has indicated it will provide a boxed product with physical extras, even if the game's data is distributed digitally or through other means. This situation highlights a potential communication gap, as developers like CD Projekt continue to express demand for physical media, while platform holders like PlayStation alter their manufacturing strategies.
The Witcher 4 is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X in 2028. Prior to its launch, fans can anticipate a current-generation remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, expected on September 29, and the "Songs of the Past" expansion for that game, due sometime in 2027.