The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is arguably one of the best fantasy RPGs in recent gaming history — the product of the development team’s ingenuity, hard work, and dedication. That said, some of the Witcher devs have gone on to work on other projects, and they’re worth checking out, especially considering the former developers’ track records.
Interesting to note here is that most of the former Witcher 3 devs’ upcoming titles are fantasy games. However, it’s a mixed bag, with some games being kept firmly under wraps and others already having reveal trailers out. Additionally, with The Witcher 4 likely being a few years away, fans of the franchise can look to these games for their fantasy fix.
Upcoming Fantasy Games from Former Witcher Developers
Unnamed dark fantasy game – Former Witcher 3 game director, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, is the CEO of the newly opened game studio, Rebel Wolves. Alongside him are other experienced game devs who also worked on The Witcher trilogy, such as Jakub Szamalek, Tamara Zawada, and Bartlomiej Gawel. The company’s first project is a yet untitled open-world fantasy that Tomaszkiewicz describes as the “Holy Grail” of RPGs. Not much else is known about the game, but given the team behind it, it could prove to be an excellent entry to the fantasy genre.
Unnamed “fantasy epic” – Techland, the studio behind the Dying Light series, recently revealed its latest project: an “open world action-RPG in a fantasy setting.” Among those working on this new IP are former Witcher devs, Karolina Stachyra, Arkadiusz Borowik, and Bartosz Ochman. So, even though the upcoming title is a vast departure from parkour and zombies, the team is well-equipped to tell an engaging fantasy epic. The Dying Light developer has yet to release more information on the new IP.
Gord – Gord is an adventure-strategy game set in a fantasy world heavily inspired by Slavic folklore. Its director, Stan Just, is a former producer of the Witcher 3. He’s also the current CEO of game studio, Covenant. According to Just, Gord is meant to be a dark fantasy strategy game with an immersive world. It takes inspiration from The Witcher 3 but puts its own spin on the characters and gameplay mechanics. The company has yet to announce an official release date, but interested players can follow the title on Steam.
The Invincible – The Invincible was originally a sci-fi novel published by Polish writer, Stanisław Lem. Now, game studio Starward Industries is borrowing the book’s setting and using it in the upcoming game of the same name. The team is composed of former Witcher devs, such as Marek Markuszewski, Daniel Betke, and Mariusz Antkiewicz, who are experienced directors and designers in the gaming industry. Based on the game’s Steam page, The Invincible focuses on exploration and player choice, immersing the player in an eerie planet straight out of a sci-fi fantasy novel. Its planned release date is sometime in 2023.
“Codename Vitriol” – This yet untitled game was just announced this month with the title Codename Vitriol. The project is headed by former Witcher dev, Jakub Rokosz, who is now the CEO of game studio, Fool’s Theory. Codename Vitriol is described as a “dark, esoteric RPG” that is morally ambiguous and narrative-driven. The game’s description emphasizes the dark side of reality, hinting that there are things lurking beneath the surface. Based on the brief reveal trailer, Codename Vitriol appears to be more like a horror than a fantasy game, but that remains to be seen. The developer has yet to post new content on the upcoming title or announce a release date.
The Witcher 3 is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.