CD Projekt Red Co-CEO Hopes Witcher 4 Wins Back Players After Cyberpunk 2077 Launch

CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michał Nowakowski says the studio has not yet completed a “full redemption arc” following the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077, according to an interview with Edge via GamesRadar. Nowakowski believes the company may have lost the faith of some players indefinitely but hopes upcoming projects, specifically The Witcher 4, will restore the studio’s reputation.

Can CD Projekt Red win back its lost players?

Nowakowski admits that the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 was “heartbreaking” for both the development team and the community. While the game is currently in a stable state, the co-CEO stated to Edge that he isn’t “100 per cent convinced” the studio has fully redeemed itself.

The fallout from the 2020 release was severe. Players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One faced game-breaking bugs and frequent crashes, which eroded the goodwill the studio built with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This loss of trust is something Nowakowski views as a fair consequence of the launch quality.

The studio’s path back depends on The Witcher 4. If that title fails to meet expectations, Nowakowski says he hopes “whatever comes next” will eventually bridge the gap with the fans. You can track more updates on GamesRadar for further coverage on these interviews.

What is the long-term strategy for CDPR’s game pipeline?

CD Projekt Red is avoiding the “annual release” trap. Nowakowski told Edge that the studio’s goal is not to flood the market with games or expand into a massive number of different intellectual properties (IPs).

The company is operating on a “rough 10-year rolling plan.” This strategy prioritizes the creation of “really cool games” over rapid growth. The studio intends to remain lean regarding its IP portfolio to ensure quality control and avoid the burnout associated with high-frequency release cycles.

Which projects are currently in development at CD Projekt Red?

The studio is juggling several high-profile projects across different stages of production. According to the report, the current roadmap includes:

• The Witcher 4: The primary hope for the studio’s “redemption.”
• Cyberpunk 2: This sequel entered pre-production last year.
• The Witcher Remake: A modern update to the original trilogy’s beginning.
• Songs of the Past: A surprise expansion for The Witcher 3 expected to launch in 2027.

Nowakowski notes that the team has changed since the Cyberpunk 2077 crisis. He describes the current staff as “seasoned, battle-hardened veterans” and leaders capable of handling the immense pressure of these massive RPGs.

Comparing the Redemption: Cyberpunk 2077 vs. Industry Trends

The struggle for redemption at CDPR mirrors other high-profile “fix-it” launches in the industry. However, the scale of Cyberpunk 2077‘s recovery is distinct. While many games are patched and forgotten, CDPR’s move to sell 35 million copies after a disastrous start shows a rare level of consumer persistence.

The contrast is clear: early sales recouped marketing and development costs quickly, but the brand equity plummeted. The current strategy isn’t just about selling copies, but about regaining the “faith” that Nowakowski acknowledges was lost.

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