According to Eurogamer.net, CD Projekt has recruited Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 developer Karel Kolmann to join The Witcher 4 team. Kolmann spent eight years at Warhorse Studios where he served as writer, scripter, and senior game designer, most recently as lead gameplay designer for Kingdom Come 2’s Hardcore mode. He announced his move on social media with the message “Things are happening!” and confirmed he’ll be working as a senior quest designer on the new Witcher game. Development on The Witcher 4 began in 2022 but only entered full-scale production in November 2023. The game will feature Ciri as protagonist rather than Geralt, though Geralt’s voice actor has hinted his character will still appear. CD Projekt has confirmed the game won’t launch until after 2026, potentially making it a next-generation title.
The quiet talent wars heating up
This isn’t just another developer changing jobs – it’s a strategic hire that tells us something about where CD Projekt is taking The Witcher 4. Kolmann’s background with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is particularly interesting because that series is known for its deep, immersive RPG systems and historical realism. The Witcher has always had strong narrative, but bringing in someone who helped craft Hardcore mode suggests CD Projekt might be doubling down on challenging, systems-driven gameplay. Basically, they’re not just making another action RPG – they’re building something with more depth and complexity.
And let’s be honest – CD Projekt needs this kind of talent infusion. After the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077, the studio has been rebuilding trust with both players and developers. Snagging experienced talent from other successful RPG studios shows they’re serious about getting this right. Kolmann’s social media announcement with that “Things are happening!” energy feels like exactly the kind of confidence boost CD Projekt needs right now.
The painfully long road to release
Here’s the thing that hurts: we’re looking at waiting until at least 2027 for this game. That’s three more years minimum. In gaming terms, that’s practically a lifetime. By the time The Witcher 4 arrives, we might be looking at entirely new console generations or radically different gaming hardware.
But the extended timeline makes sense when you consider what CD Projekt is trying to accomplish. They’re not just making another sequel – they’re essentially rebooting their flagship franchise with a new protagonist and potentially new gameplay directions. Rushing this would be disastrous after the Cyberpunk experience. So while the wait is painful, it’s probably necessary. The real question is whether fans will maintain their excitement through what could be four more years of development.
