CD Projekt Red: If You Want a Cost-driven Development, You Cannot Make The Witcher 4

CD Projekt Red is undergoing a significant strategic shift, moving from a single-project development model to a multi-project pipeline. Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski emphasizes that the studio’s primary objective is to increase output without compromising quality. The company is currently developing three major titles, including The Witcher 4, a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, and a new intellectual property, Project Hadar. This transition is supported by a technical migration from the proprietary REDengine to Unreal Engine 5, intended to streamline production across multiple teams.

The studio maintains that its development philosophy is quality-driven rather than cost-driven. Nowakowski asserts that high-end, ambitious titles like The Witcher 4 cannot be created under strict cost-minimization constraints. While the company remains mindful of budgets, it prioritizes creative vision and technical excellence, noting that even successful titles like The Witcher 3, which has reached 65 million sales, and Cyberpunk 2077, with 40 million sales, still possess significant growth potential.

To manage this expansion, the studio has implemented rigorous internal scrutiny, frequently canceling ideas that do not align with its quality standards or focus. The company also continues to engage with its existing player base through "moments" of content, such as the surprise release of a free remaster for The Witcher 3 and a new expansion, Songs of the Past. Regarding the broader industry, the leadership expresses confidence in the resilience of the console market, viewing hardware platforms as essential vehicles for reaching audiences regardless of potential delays in next-generation hardware cycles. The studio’s long-term goal is to deliver multiple top-tier stories within a condensed timeframe while maintaining the distinct identity of its franchises.