Fans have repeatedly asked about this and have now received a very clear answer: A well-loved feature from the previous game is expected to offer brief yet enjoyable moments of relaxation in The Witcher 4.https://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Witcher-4-Developers-respond-to-fans-by-bringing-back-popular-feature.937480.0.html
As long as the game-play/script/story is good, it stays true to the lore, and is not just a vehicle to lecture their potential buyers... people will play/buy it.
Baldur's Gate showed everyone that making good games in 2023-24 is still possible.
Gwent was never discontinued