Witcher 4 Physical Release Confirmed, Disc Format Uncertain

CD Projekt Red has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will receive a physical release when it launches in 2028, but the studio says it has no control over whether that edition will include a game disc for the PlayStation 5. The uncertainty stems from Sony's announced plan to stop manufacturing game discs for its consoles starting in January 2028.

Studio joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski addressed the issue in an interview with The Game Business during Gamescom last week. He stated that while the developer is committed to a physical product, the final format depends on Sony's manufacturing policies. "We know what PlayStation has announced. And we have no influence on the policies of the first parties. The discs for the first parties, including PlayStation, have to be manufactured in their own factories," Nowakowski said. "So, if they stop manufacturing indeed by 2028, then yes we won't have a disc."

The Witcher 4 is the first major title confirmed to be affected by Sony's disc discontinuation plan. The company's chief financial officer, Lin Tao, recently indicated that retailers could still sell physical editions containing redeemable digital codes, a model that would provide a physical...