CD Projekt ‘isn’t planning on making new Witcher game exclusive to one storefront’ following Epic deal

CD Projekt has suggested it’s planning to release its new Witcher game through more than one PC digital distribution platform, following the announcement of a strategic partnership with Epic Games.

On Monday the company revealed that its next Witcher game will begin “a new saga” for the franchise.

The studio also confirmed that the open-world title is being built with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, rather than its proprietary REDengine, which powered previous Witcher games and Cyberpunk 2077.

“We’re happy to announce that the next installment in The Witcher series of video games is currently in development, kicking off a new saga for the franchise,” it said.

“This is an exciting moment as we’re moving from REDengine to Unreal Engine 5, beginning a multi-year strategic partnership with Epic Games. It covers not only licensing, but technical development of Unreal Engine 5, as well as potential future versions of Unreal Engine, where relevant.

“We’ll closely collaborate with Epic Games’ developers with the primary goal being to help tailor the engine for open-world experiences.”

CD Projekt said its strategic partnership with Epic has been agreed for a 15-year period with an option to extend.

Following the announcement, some fans raised concerns that the new Witcher game will be released for PC as an Epic Games Store exclusive.

“We are not planning on making the game exclusive to one storefront,” the official Witcher Twitter account posted in response to tweets from a number of players.

A release timeframe, target platforms, and any further digital distribution plans for the game haven’t been announced.

The game will presumably be released through CD Projekt’s own digital distribution platform, GOG, and potentially via the Epic Games Store and Steam too.