Recently, there’s been a scam floating around the internet that falsely promises beta access to The Witcher 4. In response, CD Projekt Red, the developer behind the series, has alerted its fanbase to steer clear of such deceptive offers. The company isn’t just sounding the alarm; it’s also actively working to dismantle the fraudulent operation.
The Witcher 4, which marks the next installment in CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed RPG series, was first announced in March 2022. December 2024 saw the release of its initial cinematic trailer, introducing fans to Ciri as the game’s lead character. However, from what CD Projekt Red has revealed so far, the game is still a few years away from being ready for gamers worldwide.
In the meantime, it seems some unscrupulous individuals are trying to take advantage of eager fans. CD Projekt Red took action on April 16, issuing a warning to its community: there is no Witcher 4 beta. Moreover, the company indicated it has implemented measures to thwart this scam, though they didn’t go into details about their strategy.
The motives behind this scam are murky at best. Often, these schemes aim to gather personal information, perhaps to sell email lists or engage in phishing attacks. There’s also a chance this could involve distributing malware, especially if people are tricked into downloading malicious software under the guise of playing an exclusive beta.
Historically, CD Projekt Red hasn’t offered beta tests for its single-player games. The exceptions were for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, which had two betas in 2016 and 2017. Looking forward, while the planned Witcher multiplayer project, Project Sirius, might need a beta for server testing, The Witcher 4 likely will not.
Interestingly, in a recent earnings call, CD Projekt Red confirmed that The Witcher 4 won’t be launching within the next fiscal year, suggesting a release no sooner than 2027. If development stretches further, the game might even skip the current console generation entirely.
CD Projekt Red, established on March 6, 2002, from its headquarters in Warsaw, Poland, continues to shape the future of gaming with its ambitious projects. Led by CEO Adam Kiciński, and under the umbrella of its parent company, CD Projekt, the studio remains a significant force in the gaming industry, despite the challenges posed by scams and delays.
