Ethan Crossfield 
CD Projekt Red is managing one of the largest development pipelines in modern gaming, with multiple Witcher projects and Cyberpunk 2 competing for resources. That crowded schedule has now affected the long-awaited remake of the original The Witcher, which CDPR confirms is not currently in active development.
A Four-Year Wait Ends in a Development Pause
The Witcher Remake was announced in October 2022 under the codename Canis Majoris. CD Projekt Red revealed that Fool’s Theory would lead the project under CDPR’s creative supervision, but the studio offered few additional details afterward. The lack of updates became increasingly noticeable as other Witcher projects moved further through production.
CDPR has now clarified that the remake is on hold rather than progressing through active development. Fool’s Theory is primarily working on The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, with a smaller part of its team assisting The Witcher 4. The studio’s statement does not describe the remake as canceled, leaving open the possibility that production will resume later.
The Witcher 4 Is a Foundation for the Remake
The pause appears to be tied to production dependencies between the two games. CD Projekt Red says The Witcher Remake will use the foundation created for The Witcher 4, including assets, tools, and development pipelines. Those elements need to be ready before Fool’s Theory can build the remake efficiently.
This relationship is also connected to CDPR’s broader technology transition. The studio has moved away from its proprietary RED Engine and is developing The Witcher 4, along with the next Witcher trilogy, using Unreal Engine technology. The remake is expected to benefit from that same technical groundwork, meaning its schedule is linked to progress on the newer title.
What Happens Next for the Witcher Projects?
For now, The Witcher Remake sits behind several other projects in CDPR’s pipeline. The Witcher 3 is set to receive a remaster soon, while Songs of the Past is planned for 2027. The Witcher 4 is targeting a 2028 release, placing the remake somewhere beyond those milestones unless development priorities change.
CD Projekt Red has also said it employs more than 1,000 developers, with most working on The Witcher 4. A sizable team is developing Cyberpunk 2 as well, while the company has previously discussed releasing the next Witcher trilogy within six years. That ambition creates a significant workload, and Fool’s Theory’s immediate commitments suggest the remake will need to wait for the right technology and staffing conditions.
Key points
- The Witcher Remake is currently paused and is not in active development.
- Fool’s Theory is focused mainly on The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past.
- The remake depends on assets, tools, and pipelines being created for The Witcher 4.
- CD Projekt Red has not announced a cancellation or a new release window.
Confirmed project status
| Project | Current information |
|---|---|
| The Witcher Remake | Temporarily on hold; no release window announced |
| The Witcher 4 | In development and targeting a 2028 release |
| The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past | Led mainly by Fool’s Theory and planned for 2027 |
| Cyberpunk 2 | In development at CD Projekt Red |
Expert View
The pause signals a more deliberate production strategy than a clear loss of confidence in the remake. Reusing The Witcher 4’s technical foundation could reduce duplicated work and help Fool’s Theory avoid building tools and pipelines twice. However, it also means the project’s future depends on the progress of a much larger game. For fans, the main concern is that CDPR’s expanding slate may continue pushing the remake further into the future, even though the company has stopped short of canceling it.
