Dang, The Witcher 4 studio says its new IP “definitely is NOT a cosmic horror in feudal Japan,” which is precisely what I was hoping it was

“I would say, everything outside of a rather specific, and slightly odd field of ‘Cosmic horror in feudal Japan’ is an option

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

If there’s one game I would want to followCDPR’s long-awaited sequelThe Witcher 4, it would be a cosmic horror game set in feudal Japan - and I mean that sincerely! In fact, CDPR, with its spectacular worldbuilding, is one of the few studios I would trust to pull off something so wild. But, sadly, that very specific genre is exactly the only one CDPR has fully ruled out for its new IP, codenamed Project Hadar.

In a Twitter response to some speculation about Hadar, CDPR co-CEO Michal Nowakowski shut down just one of the ideas that was floated. “Can only tell it’s definitely NOT a cosmic horror in feudal Japan ;),” he said. “Time will come, we will spill the beans. Worry not :)”

Can only tell it’s definitely NOT a cosmic horror in feudal Japan ;) Time will come, we will spill the beans. Worry not :) https://t.co/O21IleS7P9February 16, 2024

Little has been said of Project Hadar so far, but we know it’s among manyupcoming CDPR gamescurrently in some form of development. WithPhantom Libertyout the door and putting a bow on Cyberpunk 2077,CDPR has moved its focus to The Witcher 4with “the largest part” of its development team working on the sequel.The next Witcher game will mark the beginning of a brand new trilogy, and on top of that there’sa spin-off codenamed Siriusand aWitcher remake on the way that’ll build on the technology used for The Witcher 4.  Finally, there’s theCyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed Orion. Phew.

We don’t know exactly where Project Hadar fits into such a busy calendar for CDPR, but we know it’s technically been in development since 2021. We haven’t heard anything about it for some time, but at least we know it’s still in the works, which is a good thing despite the obvious missed opportunity that is CDPR ruling out a cosmic horror game in feudal Japan.

You’re sure to find something to scare you silly in our list of thebest horror games.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar’s west coast Staff Writer, I’m responsible for managing the site’s western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I’m too afraid to finish.

10 games like Dragon Age to get swept up in when you’re ready to leave Thedas

Horizon Zero Dawn remaster continues the series' curse as Dragon Age and Monster Hunter Wilds' beta soak up all the chatter

The 32 greatest movie villains