CD Projekt announces the commencement of production for the next installment in the “Witcher” series, named “Polaris.” With plans to have 400 team members on the project by mid-year, the trilogy expands the medieval fantasy franchise, and analysts predict a 2026 or 2027 debut. The company is also in the conceptual phase for a “Cyberpunk” sequel, “Orion,” with considerations for multiplayer elements and a focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence in game production.
22 January 2024 – CD Projekt, the renowned Polish video game developer, has announced plans to commence the production phase of its upcoming game, “Polaris,” marking the next installment in the highly successful “Witcher” series. Joint CEO Adam Badowski, who assumed leadership alongside Michal Nowakowski at the beginning of the year, disclosed the company’s ambition to have approximately 400 individuals working on the project by mid-year. The “Polaris” trilogy is set to expand the captivating universe of the “Witcher” medieval fantasy franchise, known for selling over 75 million copies since the launch of its inaugural game in 2007.
Badowski did not specify a premiere date for the first game in the “Polaris” project, but industry analysts anticipate its debut to be around 2026 or 2027. This development leaves CD Projekt without a major game release in the immediate future. Following the challenging launch of “Cyberpunk 2077” in late 2020, the company has been dedicated to transforming its studio. Despite the bug-ridden debut, “Cyberpunk 2077” sales exceeded 25 million copies, prompting CD Projekt to announce plans for various new games.
A sequel to “Cyberpunk,” code-named “Orion,” is currently in the conceptual phase, with Badowski revealing that approximately 80 team members are expected to be dedicated to the project by year-end. While considering the inclusion of multiplayer elements, details remain undisclosed at this stage. The company acknowledged that wage pressures have eased and anticipates modest hiring in its Polish studios but plans to continue expanding its North America studio.
Furthermore, CD Projekt has initiated a dedicated team to explore the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its processes. Badowski clarified that while AI is viewed as a tool to enhance certain aspects of game production, it is not intended to replace human involvement. Drawing from the lessons learned during the release of “Cyberpunk 2077,” Badowski expressed confidence that the company now possesses better control over the game production process, asserting their commitment to avoiding challenges similar to those encountered during the previous premiere. – Ref: Reuters
