The Witcher 3 next-gen release has been delayed yet again, pushing the launch of the game on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S beyond Q2 2022.
Fans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt were probably quite happy to hear about the next-gen version when it was announced in late 2020. We were later told that it would be coming out in late 2021, but this next-gen version (and Cyberpunk 2077's next-gen version) was pushed back to sometime in 2022. Now, CD Projekt Red has announced that it's going to be delaying the launch of The Witcher 3 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S yet again.
The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Release Delay Suggests Third-Party Problems
The Witcher 3 next-gen release delay was announced earlier today by CD Projekt Red. Strangely, it suggests that work on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game may have been outsourced to a third-party developer.
"We have decided to have our in-house development team conduct the remaining work on the next-gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt," read a Twitter thread from the game franchise's official account. "We are currently evaluating the scope of work to be done and thus have to postpone Q2 release until further notice."
"We'll update you as soon as we can. Thank you for your understanding."
Stating that CDPR's in-house team will "conduct the remaining work" suggests that work on The Witcher 3 next-gen release may have been outsourced to another developer or a less-experienced team within CDPR. This move also suggests that development may not have been up to snuff, forcing CDPR to take over the work and get it done right.
Whatever the reason may be, The Witcher 3 next-gen release date is effectively delayed indefinitely until CD Projekt Red says otherwise. You can still enjoy the last-gen version and PC version of the game while you wait by buying The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for PC and consoles via its official website starting at the price of $39.99 or your regional equivalent.
