CD Projekt Red: If you want a cost-driven development, you cannot make The Witcher 4
Summary
The Game Business Show interviews CD Projekt’s Michał Kiciński about the Witcher 3 remaster, the new Songs of the Past DLC, and the 2028 Witcher 4 release. They discuss the strategic shift to Unreal Engine to support multiple concurrent projects like Cyberpunk 2 and Project Hadder, while maintaining quality over cost-driven development. Kiciński also addresses the impact of TV adaptations, the success of Cyberpunk on Switch 2, and CD Projekt’s long-term vision for expanding its entertainment footprint.
Topics discussed
Intro: Sales growth potential and development philosophy
CD Projekt's current projects: Witcher 4, Cyberpunk 2, and more
Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone remake and the decision to return
Witcher 4 timeline flexibility and lessons from Cyberpunk's launch
Company growth, team size, and maintaining core identity
Ambition for new games and managing multiple development pipelines
Business growth, outsourcing, and franchise oversight teams
Switching from Red Engine to Unreal Engine 5
Development speed, costs, and quality priorities
Cyberpunk on Switch 2 success and platform holder relations
The future of consoles and the importance of content
Developer hardware needs and the challenge of discoverability
Physical media, Netflix synergy, and cross-promotion
Keeping franchises alive and CD Projekt's future vision
Expanding entertainment footprint and storytelling goals
Outro, personal game favorites, and hypothetical CEO roles
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