CD Projekt Confirms Layoffs on The Witcher Multiplayer Spinoff, Issues Statement

CD Projekt Red has announced workforce reductions as part of the development of their upcoming multiplayer spinoff, The Witcher: Project Sirius. The layoffs, first reported by Kotaku, affected nine employees, with four from the Boston office and five from Warsaw headquarters. The company confirmed these cuts to IGN, noting that the remaining staff can apply for other roles within the organization. At its peak, Project Sirius had 83 staff members, but as of April 30, this number has likely decreased to approximately 60.

CD Projekt Red acquired The Flame in the Flood developer, The Molasses Flood, to work on Project Sirius in 2021. However, the project has faced challenges since its inception. This is not the first time CD Projekt Red has undergone staff reductions related to Project Sirius; in 2023, the company revealed that the project had restarted and required a new framework following a previous layoff.

Despite these setbacks, CD Projekt Red has not canceled the project, but it has yet to reveal substantial details about The Witcher: Project Sirius.

Currently, CD Projekt Red is focusing on several other major projects, including The Witcher 4 (with 513 staff), Cyberpunk 2 (163 staff), and new IP Project Hadar (24 staff). The company also has a The Witcher 3 expansion slated for next year and a remake of The Witcher 1 in development. Additionally, CD Projekt Red has a bold plan to release The Witcher 4, The Witcher 5, and The Witcher 6 within a six-year timeframe, which essentially rules out the possibility of expansions for The Witcher 4.

This ambitious schedule further emphasizes the company's dedication to their upcoming projects, leaving little room for delays or cancellations.