The Witcher 4 Will Get a Boxed Release, But It Might Not Contain a Disc

AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·

The Witcher 4 Will Get a Boxed Release, But It Might Not Contain a Disc

CD Projekt Red confirmed a physical release for The Witcher 4 in 2028, but Sony's upcoming ban on new PlayStation game discs means the box might only contain collectibles and a download code.

CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that The Witcher 4 is getting a physical release when it launches around 2028, but players should not take a traditional game disc for granted. Speaking to The Game Business, CD Projekt co-CEO Michal Nowakowski noted that the studio's upcoming open-world RPG is targeting a release window that lands after Sony stops manufacturing physical discs for new PlayStation games at the end of 2027. Because first-party manufacturing policies are entirely out of the developer's hands, the studio faces a situation where including an actual game disc for a PlayStation version may become completely impossible.

Even if a traditional disc is off the table, Nowakowski assured fans that the studio is committed to releasing a physical box filled with tangible collectibles and download codes. This approach mirrors shifts happening across the wider industry as console manufacturers lean heavily into digital-first ecosystems. With Sony phasing out disc production and Microsoft's next-generation hardware plans heavily hinting at all-digital architecture, physical game preservation is entering a complicated new era where boxes serve more as collector items than functional media containers.

For modern players who value digital ownership and physical shelf presence alike, this news highlights the shifting reality of AAA gaming economies. While CD Projekt Red wants to satisfy collectors with physical packaging and extras, the actual software delivery will likely rely on redemption codes or digital storefronts. As the industry moves further away from physical media, studios are having to get creative to keep traditional retail presence alive for massive franchise launches.

Tags: The Witcher 4, CD Projekt Red, PlayStation, Physical Games, RPG

Original article: Game Rant