Polish gaming powerhouse CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has shared exciting developments surrounding its beloved The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 franchises. Alongside progress reports on various projects, the studio has also announced a strategic partnership with a mobile developer, hinting at a possible expansion into new gaming experiences.
A New Era for The Witcher Series
The long-awaited next installment in The Witcher franchise, previously known as Project Polaris, is officially titled "The Witcher 4". The game’s first cinematic trailer premiered at The Game Awards 2024, confirming Ciri as the lead protagonist. However, controversy sparked soon after when fans noticed inconsistencies in Ciri’s character model between the trailer and a behind-the-scenes featurette. CDPR swiftly addressed the concerns, reaffirming the continuity of character design.
Beyond "The Witcher 4", CDPR has multiple Witcher-related projects in the pipeline. "Project Sirius", a spin-off in development by The Molasses Flood, remains in pre-production, with CDPR announcing that the studio has merged with its internal teams for better project alignment. Meanwhile, Project Canis Majoris, the remake of "The Witcher 1", is still in its early concept phase. To expedite the development process, a portion of Fool’s Theory developers will assist in building assets and tools for "The Witcher 4", ensuring a smoother transition for "The Witcher 1" remake.
Cyberpunk’s Future: Sequel and Netflix Expansion
While fans eagerly await news on "Cyberpunk 2077’s" sequel, CDPR confirmed that Project Orion is nearing the end of its conceptual phase and will enter pre-production in the coming weeks. Given the lengthy development cycles of CDPR titles, players anticipate a significant wait before the next Cyberpunk experience materializes.
In addition, CDPR reaffirmed that a new "Cyberpunk 2077" animated series is in the works for Netflix. This follows the massive success of "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners", which played a crucial role in revitalizing interest in the franchise. Furthermore, CDPR hinted at multiple undisclosed projects, including a new venture by Fool’s Theory and ongoing progress on Project Hadar, the studio’s first entirely original intellectual property.
CDPR’s Move into Mobile Gaming
In a surprising turn, CDPR revealed a partnership with mobile gaming giant Scopely, known for acquiring "Pokémon GO" after Niantic’s nine-year tenure. This collaboration will result in a new game set within one of CDPR’s established IPs, leading fans to speculate whether it will expand "The Witcher" or "Cyberpunk 2077" universes into mobile territory.
As CDPR navigates multiple ambitious projects, fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming years. Whether it's revisiting "The Witcher" in a fresh way, stepping into a new "Cyberpunk" adventure, or exploring the possibilities of mobile gaming, the studio is poised to make a significant impact on the gaming landscape yet again.
