CD Projekt Red, the studio behind the Witcher series, has had a tumultuous few years. The disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in left a significant mark on the company’s reputation. However, the studio is now looking ahead, with The Witcher 4 on the horizon and hopes of regaining the trust of its fanbase.
The initial release of Cyberpunk 2077 was plagued with technical issues, leading to a wave of refunds and even the removal of the game from the PlayStation Store. Investors considered legal action, and the studio’s reputation took a substantial hit. Despite these challenges, CD Projekt Red has been working diligently to turn things around.
The Road to Recovery
In an interview with Edge’s Knowledge newsletter, joint CEO Michał Nowakowski acknowledged the studio’s struggles. “I’m not 100 percent convinced we went through the full redemption arc,” he admitted. “I’m convinced that we lost the faith of some people indefinitely, and that’s a fair thing.”
Nowakowski expressed hope that CD Projekt Red could make a comeback, either with The Witcher 4 or future projects. “But I do hope we will be able to make it back – if not with The Witcher 4, then with whatever comes next,” he said. The studio has been through a lot, but it has also emerged stronger, with a team of seasoned veterans ready to tackle new challenges.
The team’s resilience was evident in the success of Cyberpunk 2077’s DLC, Phantom Liberty. A month after its release, 95 percent of the 7000+ reviews were positive, a testament to the studio’s ability to bounce back. Associate game director Paweł Sasko admitted he “always believed” in the game’s potential but never thought he would see such a turnaround.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, CD Projekt Red has a clear vision for its future. Nowakowski emphasized the studio’s desire to create more games without compromising quality. “Our dream is to be making more games, although we never want to turn into the studio that’s going to be launching a big game every year,” he stated.
The studio has a rough ten-year rolling plan, focusing on quality over quantity. “We just want to make really cool games,” Nowakowski said. “We don’t want to have a ton of IPs, either. We’re not planning to grow in that way.”
Currently, CD Projekt Red is working on several projects, including The Witcher 4, Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel, and a mysterious new IP, Hadar. The Witcher 3 is also set to receive a new expansion, Songs of the Past, next year. These projects represent the studio’s commitment to delivering high-quality content and regaining the trust of its fans.
The Pressure to Deliver
The success of these upcoming projects will be crucial for CD Projekt Red. The studio faces significant pressure to prove that the initial version of Cyberpunk 2077 was an outlier rather than a sign of things to come. The Witcher 4, in particular, will be a critical test of the studio’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Nowakowski acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic. “It would be difficult” to make extra content for The Witcher 4 while also working on other projects, he admitted. However, the studio’s track record of resilience and innovation gives fans reason to hope for a bright future.
As CD Projekt Red continues to navigate the aftermath of Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled launch, the studio’s focus on quality and innovation will be key to regaining the trust of its fanbase. With The Witcher 4 and other projects on the horizon, the future looks promising for this resilient studio.
