CD Projekt Red Shifting Focus to New Projects After Cyberpunk 2077 Success

by Frank McDougall
in Action, News, PC, Release
on 29 May 2024

CD Projekt Red’s tumultuous journey with Cyberpunk 2077 has ultimately led to a triumph. Following its troubled launch in December 2020, the game has made a remarkable comeback thanks to numerous updates and the recent release of its first expansion, Phantom Liberty. The company’s latest financial results indicate a major shift in focus as CD Projekt Red no longer has any developers actively working on the open-world RPG.

While the majority of the studio has pivoted towards Project Polaris, a new installment in The Witcher series, there is still a dedicated team of 56 individuals working on Project Orion, the highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. The future also holds exciting prospects for both the Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher franchises, with plans for a live-action adaptation of Cyberpunk 2077 and several upcoming Witcher games.

One such game is Canis Majoris, a standalone Witcher experience created by an external studio led by experienced developers who have previously worked on titles within the Witcher universe. Another project, codenamed Sirius, is underway with support from CD Projekt Red and The Molasses Flood. This game will offer both single-player and multiplayer gameplay, featuring an engaging campaign with quests and an immersive story. Additionally, CD Projekt Red has begun work on a third IP, codenamed Hadar, which promises to be an entirely unique project developed from scratch.

While it is possible that CD Projekt Red may allocate resources to further updates for Cyberpunk 2077 in the future, the title is currently enjoying a well-deserved break. The development journey for the game, which began with teasers in 2013 and stretches back over a decade, has been a laborious one. With the success of Cyberpunk 2077 and the exciting ventures on the horizon, CD Projekt Red is undoubtedly embarking on a new chapter of achievement and innovation in the gaming industry.

Additional facts not mentioned in the article:
1. CD Projekt Red is a Polish video game developer and publisher known for their critically acclaimed Witcher series.
2. Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing game set in a dystopian future, based on the Cyberpunk tabletop role-playing game.
3. Despite its troubled launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has sold over 13 million copies worldwide as of December 2020.
4. The game received mixed reviews upon release, with praise for its world design and storytelling, but criticism for technical issues and performance on last-gen consoles.
5. CD Projekt Red issued multiple patches and updates to address the issues and improve the gameplay experience.
6. The company faced backlash from consumers, investors, and even legal action due to the state of the game at launch.
7. Project Polaris, the new installment in The Witcher series, is highly anticipated by fans of the franchise. It is unclear if it will feature Geralt of Rivia, the protagonist of the original Witcher trilogy.
8. The live-action adaptation of Cyberpunk 2077 will be a television series produced by Netflix.
9. CD Projekt Red is known for their commitment to player choice and branching narratives in their games, which has been a key focus in both The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077.
10. The studio’s previous projects, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, have received numerous awards and critical acclaim.

Key questions and answers:
1. What are CD Projekt Red’s new projects after the success of Cyberpunk 2077?
CD Projekt Red is working on Project Polaris, Canis Majoris, Sirius, and Hadar, in addition to the highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 known as Project Orion.

2. What is Project Polaris?
Project Polaris is a new installment in The Witcher series, though it is unclear if it will feature Geralt of Rivia or introduce new characters.

3. What is Canis Majoris?
Canis Majoris is a standalone Witcher experience being developed by an external studio. It will offer a unique gameplay perspective within the Witcher universe.

4. What is Sirius?
Sirius is a project being developed with support from CD Projekt Red and The Molasses Flood. It will feature both single-player and multiplayer gameplay with an engaging campaign and quests.

5. What is Hadar?
Hadar is a third IP being developed by CD Projekt Red. It promises to be an entirely unique project developed from scratch, but no further details are available.

Key challenges or controversies:
1. The troubled launch and subsequent fixes of Cyberpunk 2077 brought negative attention and scrutiny to CD Projekt Red’s development and management practices.
2. The company faced legal action from investors who claimed they were misled about the state of the game at launch, leading to significant financial losses.
3. The pressure to deliver successful projects after the success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the high expectations for Cyberpunk 2077 adds additional challenges for CD Projekt Red.

Advantages:
1. CD Projekt Red has a strong reputation for delivering quality games with engaging narratives and immersive worlds.
2. The success of Cyberpunk 2077 has showcased the studio’s ability to recover from a troubled launch and improve the game based on player feedback.
3. The expansion into new projects, such as Project Polaris and Canis Majoris, allows CD Projekt Red to further explore their existing franchises and attract new players.

Disadvantages:
1. The company’s reputation suffered due to the technical issues and controversies surrounding Cyberpunk 2077, which may impact trust from consumers and investors.
2. The high expectations for CD Projekt Red’s future projects may lead to increased pressure and scrutiny, potentially hindering creativity and innovation.
3. The success of Cyberpunk 2077 may overshadow the reception and sales of future projects, making it challenging for CD Projekt Red to replicate the same level of success.

The source of the article is from the blog combopop.com.br