Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Writer Joins CD Projekt Red to Craft Quests for The Witcher 4

A Royal Addition to the Witcher Saga: Kingdom Come's Quest Master Joins CD Projekt Red

The eagerly anticipated The Witcher 4 is building an impressive roster, with CD Projekt Red recently poaching a key talent from Warhorse Studios. Karel Kolman, a seasoned writer and game designer instrumental in the creation of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, has officially joined the ranks of CD Projekt Red. This move signals a significant infusion of expertise into the development of the next installment in Geralt's iconic saga.

Kolman's Proven Track Record

For nearly a decade, Kolman was a pivotal figure at Warhorse Studios, deeply involved in shaping the narrative and gameplay of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. His contributions were far-reaching, encompassing the design of eleven intricate quests, the crafting of compelling dialogue, the development of the game's notorious crime system, and even contributing to the challenging hardcore mode. This wealth of experience in creating immersive, player-driven narratives makes him an invaluable asset to CD Projekt Red.

Shaping the Future of The Witcher

Kolman's LinkedIn profile confirms his new role as a Senior Quest Designer at CD Projekt Red, where he will be working remotely. This position aligns perfectly with his background, suggesting he will be a primary architect of the quests that will define the future of Ciri's adventures. The sheer number of senior quest designers at CD Projekt Red, exceeding a dozen and comparable to the team size for The Witcher 3, hints at an ambitious scope for The Witcher 4, potentially even leveraging outsourcing to manage the immense workload.

A Shifting Landscape for The Witcher Franchise

Development on The Witcher 4 has been underway since its official confirmation in 2022, moving from pre-production to full-scale development by the end of 2024. The recent cinematic trailer at The Game Awards decisively put an end to speculation, confirming Ciri as the central protagonist. Interestingly, CD Projekt Red has also confirmed that their collaboration with Andrzej Sapkowski, the original creator of The Witcher universe, has concluded for this installment. Despite this shift, the studio is operating at an accelerated pace, with the combined teams for The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 exceeding 560 individuals, and the recruitment of talent like Kolman continues unabated.

Anticipating The Witcher 4 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Farewell

While an official release window for The Witcher 4 remains elusive, analysts tentatively place its arrival between 2027 and 2028. Meanwhile, Kolman's former project, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is also nearing its conclusion. Warhorse Studios is set to release its final major DLC on November 11th, which promises to wrap up the Bohemian storyline with a narrative arc involving a monastery, detective work, and even a medieval take on COVID-19, effectively drawing a line under that chapter of the game.