World of Risen has collected quite a few facts about Piranha Bytes' new project:

Facts and information

Production information

• Jenny confirmed that Piranha Bytes are working on a new project!
• Work on the new project started in early 2014. (Most likely the pre-production, brainstorming part)
• The new project will most likely be a DX11 one
• Björn Pankratz is the Project Manager. He has also been PM for Gothic II: Night of the Raven add-on, Risen 2 (together with Mike Hoge) and Risen 3.
• Mike Hoge (PM for Gothic 1 - Risen 2) will not be involved with the new project, and neither will be Mattias Filler, Kai Rosenkranz or Ralf Marczinzik. (see current and past members of Piranha Bytes)
• There will be a different composere than Risen 3.
• The music will be darker.
• No recycled assets will be used from previous games, like Risen 3 used from Risen 2.
• The graphical design will still be stylized/a bit cartoonish, but in a darker, less colourful, more adult way.

Technical information

• Platform: *SPECULATION* The project will be developed for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
• Engine: The same in-house engine used by Piranha Bytes since Risen 1, updated to the present technology (i.e. DX11).

Gameplay information

Story & setting

• The new game will have a happier/more satisfactory ending than Risen 3.
• The game will be structured into chapters.
• Playing with a party of NPCs will be optional as a rule.
• Different kinds of environment, though the diversity of which remains be seen.
• The player will interact with at least on non-human species. 
• Apparently there will be a big unitary landmass rather than a fragmented map. 
• The game will feature relatively small settlements, none the size of Khorinis (Gothic 2), but larger than the mage settlement in Risen 3.
• There will be no ships.

Activities

• The climbing will again be scripted.
• There will be swimming. 
• There will be no Quick Time Events!
• The inventory will again be unlimited. 
• More NPCs will be killable in the new project, not just quest-related kills.
• There will be teachers and a crafting system which allows the player to craft more than just weapons.
• There will be different factions granting special abilities and weapon skills upon joining them.
• The hero will be able to sleep.
• The inventory will be redesigned.

Combat

• There will be difficulty level from which the player can choose.