Polish video game developer CD Projekt is gearing up for significant developments in its renowned game series The Witcher 4 and the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. The company looks into multiplayer aspects and potential AI integration. Read on to know more.
The Witcher 4 (Project Polaris) to Enter Production Phase by Mid-2024
Release Date Not Confirmed, but a 2026/2027 Launch is Suggested by Analysts
CD Projekt's new joint CEO Adam Badowski revealed that the company plans to start production on The Witcher 4 by mid-2024. The upcoming installment, codenamed "Polaris," will expand the medieval fantasy universe of The Witcher.
The development team was reported to expect around 400 people onboard, and use Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 for this project instead of CD Projekt's proprietary REDengine. CD Projekt CSO Adam Kicinski mentioned in October 2022 that the team anticipates a lengthy development process, with a minimum of three years before players can experience the game.
"We'd like to have around 400 people working on the project by the middle of the year," Badowski told Reuters. The company did not give a launch date for the game, but analysts suggested a 2026 or 2027 debut.
Cyberpunk 2 (Project Orion) Looks into Multiplayer
Cyberpunk 2 Production Phase Expected by the End of 2024
In addition to The Witcher 4, CD Projekt confirmed that the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, currently dubbed "Project Orion" is in its conceptual phase. The project was confirmed to be led by CD Projekt's North America studios, with about 80 people expected to be working on the project by the end of 2024.
While the sequel is in early stages, CD Projekt Co-CEO Michal Nowakowski said the company was considering including multiplayer elements in the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, but did not discuss details.
No release date has been confirmed for Orion, but projections pointed to a 2028 release at the earliest. According to CD Projekt Red Narrative Director Igor Sarzynsk, the team officially started the "Orion journey." Fans speculated that the Cyberpunk sequel will take place in the city of Chicago.
In a conference call held in 2021 CSO Adam Kicinski said with regard to multiplayer titles, "Regarding online, we are changing our approach, so we want to have online in our future games, definitely, but step by step. So, we are working on specific features enhancing our single player [games], but we are not working on releasing the next game [as] a big online experience."
He added that they started working on online components for a couple of years now and will continue. Moreover, "the only change is that we continue to work on it not as a main production line but as a supportive production line together with our single player productions."
Other Developments and AI Integration in CD Projekt Games
On other hand, CD Projekt confirmed that it is in the early stages of developing a live-action project in collaboration with global media company, Anonymous Content. The live-action adaptation will introduce a new storyline set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077.
CD Projekt expressed interest in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its game production processes. Co-CEO Michal Nowakowski said that CD Projekt had formed a team to look into how they could use AI. CD Projekt previously confirmed it used AI technology to recreate the voice of the late Milogost Reczek, the original Polish voice actor for Viktor Vektor in Cyberpunk 2077.
While recognizing AI as a tool to enhance certain aspects of game development, the company emphasized that AI should complement rather than replace human efforts. "We think that AI is something that can help improve certain processes in game production, but not replace people," the joint CEO told Reuters.
Meanwhile, the technology continues to be a notable trend in the gaming industry, with various companies exploring its applications, including Square Enix's use of AI in games like Foamstars. Likewise, Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu shared the company's strategy of its "aggressive use" of AI going into 2024.
Source:
CD Projekt aims to start production phase of 'Polaris' in 2024
The Witcher 4 Won't Use AI To Replace Workers When Production Ramps Up This Year
Witcher 4 could enter production this year, multiplayer being considered for Cyberpunk 2
CD Projekt has cancelled its standalone AAA Cyberpunk multiplayer game
