CD Projekt Red is changing its strategies to avoid another Cyberpunk 2077 fiasco

CD Projekt Red is determined to avoid a repeat of its tumultuous Cyberpunk 2077 launch. Today, the studio released a detailed presentation about CD Projekt Red’s plan to change its strategies for future game releases. The plan includes some AAA titles in 2022, as well as new Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher content. From development to marketing strategies, CD Projekt Red promises that it will uphold high business standards to ensure fans are happy with releases.

“Recently, we discussed how the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 did not meet our quality standards, and we made the commitment to improve going forward,” CD Projekt Red President Adam Kicinski said in the video. “Today, we’ll discuss the steps we’re taking to meet these high standards and deliver on our goals.”

CD Projekt Red’s plan starts with “Red 2.0.” The studio plans to develop AAA titles starting in 2022. However, the marketing campaigns for these games will be much shorter. Cyberpunk 2077 fans may recall that CD Projekt Red announced the game way back in 2012. From there, gameplay teases and trailers started pouring in, but the early announcements only made the several delays more disappointing. CD Projekt Red now promises that it will kick off video game campaigns closer to release. The team may still briefly tease new upcoming projects, but the official marketing campaigns will be shorter overall.

As for its development team, CD Projekt Red has already started restructuring for better efficiency. Some of the changes include a better work environment, a greater talent pool, and cross-functional teams for multiple franchises. The team will focus on ensuring that CD Projekt Red sticks to its values and missions.

Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher roadmaps for 2021 and beyond

Ahead of new projects in 2022, CD Projekt Red plans to focus its attention on expanding its Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher franchises. For the former, the studio will continue releasing patches and updates, followed by “free DLCs” and then an update for next-generation consoles. The team is also working on The Witcher: Monster Slayer and a next-generation update for The Witcher 3. CD Projekt Red hopes to eventually expand these franchises beyond video games — movies, books, television, merchandise, and more.

Finally, CD Projekt Red briefly touched on building greater online capabilities in its games. Rather than focusing on one multiplayer Cyberpunk 2077 release, the studio wants to develop technology that will implement online functionality in all of its franchises. Ultimately, the hope is that these CD Projekt Red changes build an online fan community for its games.