CD Projekt have detailed their future plans and changes for the studio, as part of their Strategy Update.
The news comes via the CD Projekt Group: Strategy Update for investors. Adam Kicinsk, President and Joint CEO of Projekt Red, explained the companies’ future plans for growth, and changes. This video was produced due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic making an in-person meeting impossible.
The company’s missions going forward aim to “create revolutionary story-driven RPGs,” “to be counted among the world’s top three video game developers,” and “to ensure a lasting place for our brands in the global popular culture.” They also state their core values include “quality as out top priority” and a “Gamer-centric approach.”
The “Red 2.0” scheme is focused on parallel AAA game development, by growing production capabilities, and implementing new ways to make development more efficient. This includes more influence and control to the CTO, and deploying a team of cross-project exepers.
Kicinsk also notes they will be “changing how we communicate and market our game system, taking lessons from past marketing campaigns.” This was accompanied by footage of Cyberpunk 2077, who some have accused of being falsely advertised via its trailers not reflecting the final product.
In addition, the Redengine will be adapted to function with both The Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises moving forward. This will not only allow for NPCs and Player Control to be adapted across multiple titles, but create cross-functional teams that can work on multiple projects (such as software engineers, designers, and game and graphics developers).
If all goes well, this means parallel game development can begin in 2022.
Michal Nowakowski (Member of the Board, SVP Business Development) also addressed the lessons the company learned form marketing and PR campaigns for Cyberpunk 2077. This will include marketing and PR campaigns happening closer to the game’s actual launch; yet new projects might still teased early on.
When these campaigns do start, they aim to “properly manage expectations across all platforms.” This will be via game communication focused on “more polished footage and demos” rather than concept, and showcase footage for all platforms a game will be released on.
Development roadmaps will also be shortened to a single year; rather than five years. For Cyberpunk 2077, this means patches and updates, free DLC, and the next gen update. For The Witcher, it includes the full launch of The Witcher: Monster Slayer on mobile devices, the next gen update for The Witcher 3, and further development for Gwent.
Other goals for CD Projekt include minimizing stress and burnout, and continue making the workplace inclusive, diverse, and promoting well-being via workshops. Representatives are also being elected by staff, who will then work with the board to ensure all are heard.
Further plans for CD Projekt’s future include building out The Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises via mobile games, and partnerships to produce TV series and merchandise. This produces a “flywheel effect,” as the series grows, so does broader entertainment opportunities, which helps create more games and content.
Online technologies will also be utilized in the future, while CD Projekt Red are still focused on single-player RPGs. At this time, Kicinsk also announced the cancellation of the stand-alone multiplayer version of Cyberpunk 2077. However, Kicinsk also stated that the studio would be bringing online elements to all their franchises in the future.
Finally, CD Projket elaborated on the studio’s main focuses. All of them add or slightly alter from their original goals; from focused on AAA RPGs, to genre-blending with AAA RPG at its core. Single player games will have online support, and teams will be focused as much as quality of the game.
As aforementioned, development of IPs will now be parallel, development will be more agile, and AAA games will have a broad IP focus beyond gaming.
