CD Projekt Red announced that it will be laying off 10% of its staff in the coming months, despite the major success of both The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.
On the company’s official website, an “organisational update” claims that they want teams that are “more agile and effective.” Apparently, after careful analysis, the conclusion they reached is letting go of 10% of their workforce.
“We have talented people on board who are finishing their tasks and – based on current and expected project needs – we already know we don’t have other opportunities for them in the next year,” CEO Adam Kicińki writes. “The outcome is the studio parting ways with around 100 people, which is roughly 9% of the entire team.”
The news comes at an odd time due to the quickly approaching launch of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, a major expansion for the sci-fi RPG. This expansion pack changes the base game substantially and will likely sell millions upon release. A sequel to the game is also being planned, with the director of Phantom Liberty now in charge.
It seems that CD Projekt Red wants to prioritize efficiency, especially with multiple Witcher games coming soon. Currently, there are plans to remake The Witcher 1 in the same style as The Witcher 3. The Witcher 4 is also in the works, continuing the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, hopefully still voiced by Doug Cockle despite his recently revealed health issues.
However, considering how big those games tend to be, most fans wouldn’t mind waiting a bit longer for a quality RPG. Seeing the company prioritize fast development is a bit disorienting, especially since Cyberpunk 2077 suffered after it was rushed to release. While the game is good now, it was also taken off the PlayStation Network in 2020.
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Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 are available now. Phantom Liberty, the expansion to Cyberpunk 2077, will be coming out on September 26 for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.