Revision 8

A Strong Hint, Not a Confirmation

CDPR has hinted heavily that Gwent returns, without ever stating it outright. Game Director Sebastian Kalemba, asked in a December 2024 interview whether the card game would return, said it is "a part of the experience, absolutely. We also love Gwent." Executive Producer Gosia Mitrega, in the same interview, said the team really loves the game and listens carefully to the community, and added: "I don't think anyone will be disappointed."

Neither answer is an announcement. Both point strongly the same way, but CDPR has never said in plain terms that Gwent ships in The Witcher IV. How Gwent will work in the new game, whether it uses the same rules as in the prior digital version, and how it fits into the world have not been detailed.

Background

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Gwent was a faction-based collectible card mini-game played against NPCs throughout the world, with cards earned through shops, opponents, and quests. Whether The Witcher IV retains those mechanics, factions, or deck rules is unconfirmed. CDPR previously ran a standalone digital Gwent product and announced a physical Gwent card set; The Witcher IV's implementation is unrelated and unconfirmed.

What We Do Not Know

Most details remain unrevealed:

• Whether the rules match the version that shipped with the previous Witcher game or are redesigned

• What factions or deck types will be available (Kovir-based factions seem likely given the setting)

• How card collection will work

• Whether Gwent ties into the story or side quests

• Whether there is a tournament or competitive element

Given that Ciri is the protagonist rather than Geralt, the framing of Gwent could shift. In the previous Witcher game, Geralt was an established Gwent player; Ciri has no equivalent precedent in earlier titles, so how the mini-game integrates with her character is open.