Arthur Herring
CD Projekt Red, the renowned game development studio behind hits like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, has made an unexpected decision regarding its game engines. After encountering difficulties with the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, the studio has decided to abandon their in-house RPG engine and opt for Unreal Engine 5 for their upcoming titles.
The challenges faced during the development of Cyberpunk 2077 were attributed, in part, to CD Projekt Red upgrading their internal engine specifically for the game. The team even went to great lengths to capture realistic footage by strapping GoPros to their bodies. This meticulous attention to detail was aimed at immersing players in the first-person perspective and exploring the theme of what it means to be human in a technology-driven world.
However, with the move to Unreal Engine 5, CD Projekt Red is able to recruit talent from all over the world without the need for retraining in their proprietary engine. By using assets from the engine’s marketplace for prototypes, the team can easily visualize their ideas before committing to original assets for the final build.
Associate Game Director Pawel Sasko explains, “Some technology will move forward. It’s a matter of exactly what you can do. I cannot go into more detail because I will have to go into the design of our future games, which I cannot do.” This suggests that CD Projekt Red intends to leverage the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 to create even more visually stunning and immersive experiences for players.
While this decision may come as a surprise to fans, it signifies CD Projekt Red’s commitment to continuously improving and evolving their game development processes. By embracing Unreal Engine 5, the studio is embracing new possibilities and ensuring that their future games reach new heights of success.
As CD Projekt Red embarks on this new chapter, fans eagerly await the announcement of their next projects in The Witcher and Cyberpunk series. With the power of Unreal Engine 5 behind them, the studio is poised to deliver groundbreaking gaming experiences that will captivate players worldwide.
Additional facts:
– CD Projekt Red is a Polish video game developer and publisher based in Warsaw. It was founded in 1994.
– The Witcher series, based on the fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, is the studio’s most successful franchise. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released in 2015, received critical acclaim and sold over 28 million copies.
– Cyberpunk 2077, an open-world role-playing game set in a dystopian future, was highly anticipated but faced significant controversy and criticism upon its release in 2020 due to technical issues and performance problems, especially on older generation consoles.
Key questions and answers:
1. Why did CD Projekt Red decide to switch to Unreal Engine 5?
– CD Projekt Red encountered difficulties with their in-house RPG engine during the development of Cyberpunk 2077. The decision to switch to Unreal Engine 5 allows them to leverage the expertise and resources provided by Unreal Engine, which is widely recognized and used in the gaming industry.
2. What are the advantages of using Unreal Engine 5?
– Unreal Engine 5 offers advanced graphical capabilities, including real-time global illumination, high-quality textures, and realistic physics simulations. It also provides a range of tools and features that can streamline game development processes and enhance overall efficiency.
3. Will CD Projekt Red’s decision to use Unreal Engine 5 affect their ability to create unique and immersive experiences?
– While CD Projekt Red will be using a third-party engine, they have stated that they will still be able to leverage the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 to create visually stunning and immersive experiences. Unreal Engine 5 provides a robust framework for developers to create diverse and highly detailed worlds.
Key challenges or controversies:
1. Concerns over potential delays and learning curves:
– Switching to a new game engine can be challenging, and there might be a learning curve for the development team to become proficient with Unreal Engine 5. This could potentially lead to delays in game releases, as the transition process takes time.
2. Balancing technical capabilities and maintaining a unique identity:
– While Unreal Engine 5 offers powerful graphical capabilities, there may be a concern that using this engine could result in CD Projekt Red’s games looking more similar to other games developed on the same engine. The studio will need to find a balance between leveraging the engine’s features and maintaining their distinct artistic style and gameplay.
Advantages:
– Access to a wide range of talented developers familiar with Unreal Engine 5, potentially leading to more efficient recruitment processes.
– Utilizing assets from Unreal Engine’s marketplace allows for easier prototyping and visualization of ideas before committing to original assets.
– Unreal Engine 5’s advanced graphical capabilities can enhance the visual quality and realism of CD Projekt Red’s games.
Disadvantages:
– There might be a learning curve and potential delays in game development as the development team transitions to using Unreal Engine 5.
– The studio may need to be mindful of maintaining their unique artistic style and gameplay to avoid games feeling overly similar to others developed on the same engine.
Related link:
– CD Projekt Red official website
