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CD Projekt's joint CEO, Adam Badowski, revealed the company's plans to kickstart the production phase of the next installment in its blockbuster "Witcher" series. The aim is to have approximately 400 team members dedicated to the project by mid-year.
Expanding The "Witcher" Universe With "Polaris"
Reuters reported that the new game, "Polaris," is set to be a trilogy that further expands the captivating universe of the "Witcher" medieval fantasy franchise.
Channel News Asia noted that with over 75 million copies sold since its initial release in 2007, the "Witcher" series has amassed a massive following eagerly anticipating this new addition.
While CD Projekt has not officially announced a premiere date for the first game of the "Polaris" project, industry analysts anticipate it will debut between 2026 and 2027. As a result, the company will not have any major game releases in the immediate future.
Despite this, CD Projekt remains committed to transforming its studio and has already outlined plans for several other new games.
Following the bug-ridden "Cyberpunk 2077" launch in late 2020, CD Projekt has significantly enhanced game production processes. CEO Adam Badowski acknowledged the difficulties and expressed confidence that future premieres would be smoother and more successful.
Sequel to "Cyberpunk" in the Conceptual Phase
Revealing more about CD Projekt's upcoming projects, Badowski shared that a sequel to "Cyberpunk," currently code-named "Orion," is in the conceptual phase. By the end of this year, the company expects to have around 80 team members actively working on the project.
CD Projekt is also exploring including multiplayer components in its future games, according to Michal Nowakowski, another joint CEO. He mentioned that wage pressures have eased, and the company foresees limited expansion in its Polish studios while continuing to grow its North American studio presence.
Embracing the Potential of AI
In the pursuit of continuous improvement, CD Projekt has established a dedicated team to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance specific processes in game production. However, Badowski emphasized that AI is seen as a tool to augment human work rather than replace it entirely.
Photo: CD Projekt Website
