In a recent announcement that has disappointed many gaming enthusiasts, CD Projekt Red's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski has confirmed that The Witcher 4 will not be making an appearance at The Game Awards 2025. This news comes as a surprise to many fans who were hoping for new footage or updates about the highly anticipated sequel, especially considering the game was originally revealed during last year's ceremony with an impressive cinematic trailer.

The gaming community has been eagerly awaiting The Game Awards 2025, scheduled for December 11, as it represents one of the industry's most significant annual events for both celebrating achievements and revealing upcoming projects. While the absence of The Witcher 4 is disappointing for many, Nowakowski expressed excitement about watching the ceremony and celebrating the industry's accomplishments alongside fans worldwide.

Despite not having a presence in the show's reveals, The Witcher 4 has received a nomination in the prestigious Most Anticipated Game category. This recognition highlights the significant anticipation surrounding CD Projekt Red's next major project. The competition in this category is particularly fierce this year, with notable titles including 007 First Light, Grand Theft Auto 6, Marvel's Wolverine, and Resident Evil Requiem all vying for the same honor.

The gaming landscape in 2025 has been particularly competitive, with numerous high-profile releases from both major studios and independent developers. Grand Theft Auto 6 continues to dominate discussions about anticipated titles, having recently secured the Golden Joystick's most anticipated game award for the second consecutive year. This consistent recognition suggests GTA 6 might be the frontrunner in the category at The Game Awards.

Interestingly, The Witcher 4 isn't the only major title expected to skip this year's Game Awards. Industry reports suggest that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, another game revealed during The Game Awards 2024, will also be absent from the upcoming ceremony. Both games share the distinction of having been initially unveiled at last year's event through cinematic trailers, making their collective absence particularly noteworthy.

While some major titles are skipping the event, other games are confirmed to make appearances. Archetype Entertainment has announced that Exodus will premiere a new trailer during The Game Awards 2025, marking the first officially confirmed world premiere for the ceremony. This sci-fi RPG, first announced in 2023, will likely showcase significant development progress since its initial reveal.

The development of The Witcher 4 represents a significant technological leap for CD Projekt Red. The studio is utilizing Unreal Engine 5 to create what they describe as "the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date." Earlier this year, the developer released a technical demo that, while not representing actual gameplay, provided insight into the visual direction and technical capabilities the team aims to achieve.

According to information revealed during last year's presentation, The Witcher 4 will focus on Ciri, Geralt's adopted daughter, marking a new saga in the beloved franchise. The gaming community widely speculates that the game won't release until at least 2027, though earlier showcases remain possible through other venues such as gaming conventions and dedicated announcement events throughout the coming year.

CD Projekt Red maintains multiple options for future reveals beyond The Game Awards. Various industry events scheduled for early next year provide alternative platforms for showcasing The Witcher 4's progress. Additionally, the developer could opt for a standalone announcement strategy, similar to approaches taken for previous major titles. For now, fans must remain patient as they await the next official update about this highly anticipated addition to The Witcher franchise.