CD Projekt Red’s Co-CEO Aims for Redemption with Witcher 4 After Cyberpunk’s Launch Woes

In a recent chat, Michał Nowakowski, co-CEO of CD Projekt Red, opened up about the studio’s journey since the infamous launch of Cyberpunk 2077, which he described as “heartbreaking.” Nowakowski believes that the studio has not yet fully redeemed itself but is optimistic that The Witcher 4 can help mend relationships with fans.

Reflecting on the tumultuous aftermath of Cyberpunk 2077’s launch, he admitted that the initial excitement surrounding the game quickly diminished due to a barrage of game-breaking bugs and visual glitches, particularly on older consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Although the game initially sold well, recouping development costs almost immediately, the damage to the studio’s reputation was severe.

Now, with Cyberpunk 2077 in much better shape and over 35 million copies sold, Nowakowski acknowledges that there’s still work to do to regain the trust of players. “I’m not entirely convinced we’ve completed our redemption arc,” he shared, recognizing that some fans may have lost faith for good. “But I do hope we will be able to make it back – if not with The Witcher 4, then with whatever comes next.”

The studio has learned a lot from the Cyberpunk experience and has come out stronger, with seasoned veterans ready to take on new challenges. According to Nowakowski, CD Projekt Red has no intention of flooding the market with frequent releases. Instead, they are focused on quality over quantity, aiming to create innovative and engaging games rather than simply expanding their portfolio.

While The Witcher 4 doesn’t have a release date just yet, fans won’t be left in the dark. The studio announced an upcoming expansion for The Witcher 3, titled Songs of the Past, which is expected to launch in 2027. Additionally, development is gearing up for a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, informally known as Cyberpunk 2, and a remake of the original Witcher game is also in the works.