The Witcher 4 Slated for 2028, But Sony's Disc Phase-Out Threatens Physical PlayStation Releases
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
CD Projekt Red's newly announced 2028 release target for The Witcher 4 has sparked concern among players regarding Sony's plan to stop producing PlayStation game discs that same year.
CD Projekt Red recently confirmed that The Witcher 4 is targeting a 2028 release window, but the announcement has triggered immediate anxiety regarding physical game preservation. Sony plans to discontinue the manufacturing of physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting in January 2028. Because The Witcher 4 falls squarely into that timeline, players are voicing strong concerns across social media platforms that CD Projekt Red will be forced to release the upcoming RPG as a digital-only experience on PlayStation 5.
This shift strikes a particularly sensitive nerve for long-time fans of the studio. CD Projekt Red has historically built its brand identity around rich physical releases filled with map inserts, goodies, and collector items, tracing back to the company's roots as a physical distributor. The community response has been swift and vocal, with many adopting a strict stance against digital-only purchases. While the studio has not yet commented on how it plans to navigate Sony's upcoming manufacturing cutoff, the looming deadline casts a shadow over the physical media landscape for massive AAA blockbusters.
Beyond the debate over discs, the massive production timeline for The Witcher 4 also raises logistical questions about the studio's other projects. Development on the upcoming Witcher 1 remake, being handled by Fool's Theory, shares studio resources and developer attention with CD Projekt Red's broader pipeline. With plans for two additional sequels scheduled to follow the next major installment within a six-year window, fans are keeping a close watch on how the studio manages its ambitious slate without sacrificing project quality or developer well-being.
Tags: The Witcher 4, PlayStation 5, CD Projekt Red, Gaming Industry, Physical Media
Original article: Eurogamer