CD Projekt Red has stepped forward to dispel a growing rumor that has recently been circulating among fans of The Witcher series. Speculation around a so-called beta test for The Witcher 4 spread quickly online, leading to confusion and—unfortunately—opportunities for scammers to exploit hopeful players eager for a sneak peek at the upcoming RPG. To put the rumors to rest, the studio released a direct and humorous statement confirming that no such beta test is taking place.
The developers, known for their work on Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher series, posted a light-hearted yet serious message alerting fans to the false claims. They emphasized that any communication claiming to offer access to a Witcher 4 beta is fraudulent. Their message encouraged anyone encountering such scams to report them through the appropriate tools available on social media or email platforms.
In their own words, they urged players to stay vigilant: “We’ve been taking the necessary steps to take this fraudulent messaging down,” the team noted. “That said, if you receive any invites to or stumble upon news of one, we kindly ask you to report the scam. Remember: professional monster slayers don’t fall for scams; they see right through them and slay them!”
Despite the fake beta test rumors, The Witcher 4 is very much a real game currently in development. It was first acknowledged back in 2022, sparking excitement as fans began to imagine what the next chapter in the franchise might hold after the conclusion of Geralt’s story in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Once the development cycle for Cyberpunk 2077 began to slow down, CD Projekt Red shifted its focus more heavily toward the new installment in the fantasy saga. By early 2024, the studio confirmed that development on The Witcher 4 was progressing in earnest.
The excitement surrounding the game reached a new high during The Game Awards 2024, when the first trailer for The Witcher 4 finally debuted. While the teaser didn’t give away much in terms of plot, it made one thing clear: Ciri, a character beloved by many fans, will be stepping into the lead role this time around. Her ascension to the spotlight marks a significant shift in the series’ direction, as the story moves beyond Geralt of Rivia to explore new narrative territory.
As of now, The Witcher 4 is not expected to launch until at least 2027, so fans will need to be patient. In the meantime, it’s crucial to stay informed and cautious—any invitations claiming early access or pre-release testing are fake. Only information shared directly by CD Projekt Red should be trusted as development continues.
For players curious about the shift from Geralt to Ciri, the team has spoken about why this decision makes sense for the evolution of the story and the world of The Witcher. And even though Geralt won’t be the focus this time, there’s still plenty of reason to be excited for the future of the franchise.
