Analyst Projects Astronomical Costs for CD Projekt's Next Witcher Trilogy
Video game development budgets, particularly for major triple-A titles, have become increasingly substantial in recent years, though precise figures are rarely disclosed publicly. A new analysis from Poland suggests that CD Projekt's upcoming projects in The Witcher franchise could reach unprecedented financial heights.
Detailed Financial Breakdown for The Witcher 4 and Beyond
According to a report by Noble Securities analyst Mateusz Chrzanowski, cited by Polish outlet Strefa Inwestorów, CD Projekt is expected to spend approximately 1.4 billion złoty (around £290 million) on the core development of The Witcher 4. However, when marketing expenses are factored in, the total cost for this single title could escalate to about 2.8 billion złoty, equivalent to roughly £580 million.
Chrzanowski, who previously predicted new downloadable content for The Witcher 3, stated: 'The extension and structure of current development expenditures have prompted us to increase the game's projected budget.' The analyst anticipates a late 2027 launch for The Witcher 4, aligning with CD Projekt's indication that 2027 represents the earliest possible release window.
Trilogy-Wide Financial Implications and Development Strategy
The financial projections extend beyond the initial game. Chrzanowski estimates that the entire new Witcher trilogy, comprising The Witcher 4 and two subsequent sequels, could require a combined investment of 3.2 billion złoty, approximately £663 million. This staggering sum reflects the escalating costs associated with modern game production.
CD Projekt's strategic approach may help mitigate some expenses. The studio plans to use The Witcher 4 as a foundational template for the following games, reducing the need to create entirely new assets from scratch. During an investor call in November, co-CEO Michał Nowakowski explained that adopting Unreal Engine 5 enables a more efficient development pipeline.
'So yes, that would mean we would plan to have a shorter development time between The Witcher 4 and The Witcher 5, between The Witcher 5 and The Witcher 6 and so on,' Nowakowski remarked. The goal is to complete the full trilogy within a six-year timeframe, leveraging shared technology and resources.
Industry Context and Community Developments
These estimates place CD Projekt's budgets among the highest in the gaming industry. For comparison, Insomniac's Spider-Man 2 reportedly cost $300 million (£237 million) to develop, while certain older Call of Duty titles from Activision involved even greater expenditures. Such figures highlight the immense financial commitments required for blockbuster game production.
While fans await official confirmation of rumoured Witcher 3 DLC, the community has taken initiative. A group of modders has released a custom multiplayer mode called The Witcher Online for the PC version, allowing players to explore the game world and complete quests cooperatively with friends. Although still in development, with some technical quirks evident in its trailer, the mod has already been downloaded over 10,000 times from NexusMods.
The gaming industry continues to evolve with rising development costs and ambitious project scopes. CD Projekt's investment in The Witcher franchise underscores the significant resources dedicated to creating next-generation gaming experiences, setting new benchmarks for financial planning in the sector.
