CD Projekt Red Plans to Increase Game Release Cadence
CD Projekt Red, the publisher-developer behind popular games like The Witcher and Cyberpunk, has announced plans to expedite the release of its major games. This means that fans can expect a shorter wait time between projects as the Poland-based studio aims to streamline its development process.
Working on Several Projects Simultaneously
During a recent quarterly earnings call, CD Projekt Red revealed its strategy to make upcoming release schedules more consistent. The company’s joint CEO, Michał Nowakowski, explained that with studios across Europe and the U.S., CDPR is now able to work on multiple projects simultaneously, leading to a more productive workflow.
A History of Multi-Year Launch Cadence
Up until now, CD Projekt Red has followed a four to five-year launch cadence for its flagship games. Starting with the release of The Witcher in 2007, followed by The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings in 2011, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015, and finally Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. However, it’s worth noting that the last two games had substantial expansions planned after their initial release.
New Developments and Expansions
Nowakowski highlighted that CD Projekt Red has already gained experience working on multiple projects simultaneously. He mentioned the development of the game-sized Cyberpunk 2077 DLC called Phantom Liberty, which involved nearly 300 people. At the same time, the studio has been working on another project called Polaris. These experiences have paved the way for CDPR to expand its production capabilities and take on more projects in the future.
Current and Upcoming Projects
CD Projekt Red’s joint CEO emphasized that the company is currently working on multiple projects. Cyberpunk 2 is being developed in Boston, while Polaris is predominantly being developed in Europe. Additionally, other teams are working on projects such as Project Sirius and the The Witcher 1 remake. Nowakowski hinted at the release of more titles in the future and expressed the studio’s commitment to increasing the cadence of game launches.
What to Expect in the Future
Fans can look forward to Polaris, which is set to be the first installment of a new Witcher trilogy, as well as Project Sirius, a Witcher spin-off that aims to appeal to a broader audience with both single-player and multiplayer elements. Furthermore, CD Projekt Red is working on a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 codenamed Orion, suggesting that there are even more exciting projects on the horizon.
Less Marketing, More Focus
Following the drawn-out marketing campaign for Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red seems to have learned its lesson. The studio has refrained from releasing promotional material for its upcoming games, demonstrating a desire to deliver a more focused and efficient development process.
Rumor Mill
In response to a rumor about a possible teaser for Witcher 4 in June, CD Projekt Red remained tight-lipped. The company declined to comment on any speculation, whether it be regarding timing or the content of potential teasers or trailers.
As CD Projekt Red ramps up its game production, fans can expect more frequent releases and a broader range of titles to enjoy. With new projects underway and a commitment to increasing the cadence of game launches, CDPR is poised to deliver even more exciting experiences for gamers worldwide.